Councillors who set one of England's highest council tax rises have pledged to significantly limit the increase this year.

Residents in Eastbourne were last year hit with a colossal 38 per cent rise, the fourth highest increase in England.

However, leaders on the Liberal Democrat-controlled authority have promised to increase its share by no more than 4.9 per cent this year.

The slight increase has been achieved through swingeing cuts totalling more than £1 million, including cutting more than 20 management jobs.

Savings outlined to councillors in December included handing the lease for the Beachy Head Countryside Centre back to Whitbread.

Non-residents will pay for parking on Downland sites, summons charges will be increased from £60 to £70 and members' allowances will not rise, for the second year running.

Spending on parks and gardens was cut by £76,000, tourism by £178,000 and £353,000 made in efficiency savings, an area with no direct impact on services.

Deputy leader David Tutt said the council was on track to achieve its budget targets and predicted an underspend on revenue of £109,000.

He said the success of recent Eastbourne Theatres productions had played a key part in the final figure.

Coun Tutt said: "It is deeply regrettable so many jobs have been lost through this process.

"Unfortunately, with levels of Government grant so out of touch with rising costs, the council was left with no choice."