East Sussex County Council leaders say they have been forced to inflict a 20 per cent tax rise on residents.

Members of East Sussex County Council agreed the hike for its part of the bill at a meeting held in Lewes yesterday.

This means the average Band D tax-payer will pay £153 more for the county council element - a rise from £777 to £930.

Council bosses have put the blame for the increase firmly at the door of the Government.

Deputy leader of East Sussex County Council, Councillor Daphne Bagshaw said the money would be used to safeguard vital services after the reduced Government grant left the council millions of pounds short.

She said: "Let me make this quite clear. I certainly didn't want to impose anything like this increase on the people of East Sussex but we have been forced into this situation by central government.

"We have been arguing our case for a fairer deal with them for months. This included an all-party delegation to see the minister. This was totally ignored."

The council tax bill is made up of three parts, with the bulk set by the county council.

Local authorities and the Sussex Police Authority (SRA) make up the rest. Last week, the SRA agreed a rise of 40 per cent as part of its budget, adding £97.74 to the bill.

Local authorities will decide their elements in the next few days.

Eastbourne Borough Council bosses have warned of an increase of 38 per cent for its element, a rise from £131.14 to £180.97, after announcing more money was needed to pay for waste management services.

For the average Band D Eastbourne resident the outcome of the budget could mean a total increase of £230 for the council tax bill, from £978 to £1,208. The final borough council figure will be set on Wednesday, February 26.

In Hastings a rise of 20 per cent is predicted by leaders at Hastings Borough Council. The average Band D bill could rise from £1,010 to just over £1,200.

Coun Bagshawe said education and social services would be protected through the budget setting.

She said: "I am sure residents will agree with me that these services are absolutely vital."