Brighton and Hove City Council spent more than £700,000 on publicity last year.

The cost has risen more than 50 per cent from £464,481 in 2001/02 to £715,169.

The Liberal Democrats, who obtained the figures, accused the council of spending too much on publicity.

The council said the 54 per cent rise was caused by accounting changes, a claim Lib Dem leader Paul Elgood called "a further example of spin".

He said: "This comes at a time when residents are paying for another huge council tax increase this year and facing more of the same next year.

"The council has been very good at making cuts to services and staffing but we still do not see such savings being made on direct publicity costs.

"We think this figure is too high and will be seeking further savings this year."

The authority faces an £18 million shortfall in its budget and residents have been warned to expect another double figure council tax rise.

Total spending on publicity and marketing combined with recruitment advertising and other advertising costs, was £1.7 million, compared to £1.6 million in the 2001/02 financial year.

The council insisted the apparently large increase was the result of a Government instruction to change the way some expenditure was presented in local authority accounts.

A spokeswoman said: "As a result some advertising costs, which previously came under a different category, are now included in the figure for spending on publicity and marketing.

"It does not signify any major increase in expenditure over the reported years."