People would rather see their council tax bills rise than face cuts in services, according to a new survey.

Residents were asked how cash-strapped Adur Council could save £200,000 from its budget.

A representative panel of 1,000 people were sent a questionnaire asking their views on how the cash could be saved and 521 responded.

The residents' panel was told either services could be cut or council tax bills could be increased by an average of 15p a week.

Other residents were asked to vote in the council's paper Adur Outlook, which is delivered to every home in the area.

Of the residents' panel, 62 per cent were in favour of increasing council tax and 31 per cent preferred cuts in services.

Of the 120 replies from the Adur Outlook survey, 54 per cent favoured a tax increase while 39 per cent preferred to cut services.

Adur Council leader Neil Parkin said: "Many councils across the country have asked their residents about future spending priorities.

"This is the first time that we are aware of where local people have clearly come out in favour of a modest council tax increase as opposed to cuts in services.

"We will take account of these views before we make a final decision about the budget in February."

Adur's Viewpoint panel was recruited in 2000 to be representative of residents of the district in terms of gender, age group, socio-occupation and ward