A PUB opens its doors tomorrow night to anyone alarmed or disgruntled over tax bills expected to start dropping through letterboxes later this year.

Cath Thompson, the landlady at the Bay Horse, Catterick, North Yorkshire, has been so incensed in the past with the amount she had to pay as a businesswoman, that she invited political leaders to justify the bills for both businesses and the average taxpayer at open forums in her premises.

Local MP and former Conservative leader, William Hague, and senior members of the county and district councils left the pub with a clear impression of local dissatisfaction just over a year ago - but it appears to have done little good.

The North Yorkshire authority confirmed this week it will be asking for just over 11 per cent more in council tax in April while the county's police authority has sanctioned a 76 per cent increase in its own precept.

"I think this should be a national issue," said Mrs Thompson.

"Everyone should be asking why we are paying so much."

The Bay Horse meeting starts at 7.30pm tomorrow. All are welcome to attend.

Last July's meetings prompted the formation of a pressure group, the Richmondshire Association of Council Taxpayers, which vowed to field candidates in the local elections this year.

However, following acrimony among its leadership, Mrs Thompson confirmed she has arranged tomorrow night's meeting independently.