PEOPLE in east Durham will pay at least £63 more for council services and policing from next month.

The total council tax bill for Easington District Council, Durham County Council and Durham Police Authority is rising by 9.1 per cent. This equates to bills for a band A property - 83 per cent of the district's housing stock - increasing from £695.43 to £759.12.

On top of charges to the main authorities most people will pay a further amount to the area's town and parish councils, ranging from almost £13 at Castle Eden to £145 at Easington Colliery.

The district council is increasing its share of the bill by three per cent, from £151.15 to £155.70 for a band A property.

The council, which includes some of the country's most deprived neighbourhoods, has been awarded a 9.5 per cent increase in its Government grant and its budget for the year is just over £14m.

* New council tax levels, excluding parish and town councils: Band A £759.12 (+£63.69) B £885.64 (£74.31) C £1,012.16 (+£84.92) D £1,138.68 (+£95.54) E £1,391.72 (+£116.77).

Band F £1,644.76 (+£138) G £1,897.80 (+£159.23) H £2,277.36 (+£191,08).