Taxpayers in East Sussex can expect the lowest increase in council tax for ten years.

Residents have listed lower tax as one of their top priorities and the county council's Cabinet will recommend a tax increase of just over four per cent on February 22.

Deputy leader Tony Reid said: "This coming year the council will receive the lowest grant increase of any county council in the country.

"Despite the poor grant settlement, our aim has been to drive down the council tax increase, largely through efficiency savings and better ways of working, while protecting core services.

"The proposals going to county council allow for increased investment in the council priorities that the public has identified as important."

Extra help will go to tackling antisocial behaviour, additional resources for older people, repairing pavements, extra support for libraries, helping residents access online services - including reporting traffic or street light failures - and improving access to council buildings for people with disabilities.

Coun Reid added: "Demand for services is rising, particularly with the high numbers of elderly people living in the county.

"We have had to balance helping to meet the funding gap for vital services like social care, with keeping the council tax increase down and focusing on the services people tell us are most important to them."