A NORTH-EAST local authority has pledged to continue to get tough with council tax dodgers.

Sunderland City Council's warning has come after seven residents appeared in court for failing to give details of their income.

The information is required by the council to help recover the backdated tax debt from the defendants, who owe more than £12,500 between them.

Each of the seven, who must still pay the outstanding money to the council, was fined £50, and ordered to pay £70 costs.

A council spokesman warned that the action was part of the ongoing battle to recover unpaid sums.

"Court action is not something we enter into lightly, but it is important that council tax payers realise that we will not let them off paying their bills just because they refuse to cooperate.

"It's simply not fair to expect the vast majority of council tax payers, who pay their bills on time, to carry those who are not prepared to pay up.

"As a result of their actions, these people now have criminal records, as well as having to pay an extra £120 on top of their original council tax bills."

He said the authority would not hesitate to take similar action in future to recoup unpaid council tax.