Residents in Lewes district are facing a 14 per cent increase in their council tax.

From April, the average band D household in the area covered by Lewes District Council will be charged an extra 31p a week.

This will take the average bill for the council's share of the council tax to £131.34.

The final council tax figure, made up of charges for the services of the Sussex Police Authority, East Sussex County Council and local town or parish councils as well as the district council, will not be known until later this month.

The district council said its charges were increasing to cover a shortfall in the amount of money it received from the Government.

The council has been given a government grant increase of 2.3 per cent for next year, less than the average district council rise of 4.2 per cent.

Coun Ann de Vecchi, leader of Lewes District Council, said: "We battled to get the full increase but the level of our Government grant this year will actually be less than it was in 1994.

"An increase in line with inflation would have enabled us to hold the district council tax without increase. We will continue to provide local services to the highest possible standards."