Nigel and Catherine Higley are a married couple living in Vallance Gardens, Hove.

They have three children, Alexandra, 14, Isobel, five, and Fergus, three.

Mr Higley, 41, is a partner in the retail bicycle business Sydney Street Bikes in Brighton and Mrs Higley, 37, teaches in a primary school in Hove.

Mr Higley said: "This is a good Budget for the county and we are glad to see extra money going into the health service and education - about time too and the more the better for us all. Personally, we will get more through the taxation changes.

"But to be honest, we wouldn't have minded foregoing this gain to see more go into our country's infrastructure."

The Higleys' joint household income falls into the £40,000 to £60,000 band, with Mr Higley bordering on the higher rate tax bracket, which includes child benefit.

He pays £50 per month into a private pension and has a £50 tax-free savings plan. Mrs Higley contributes to her occupational teachers' pension scheme.

They have a family car with a 2000cc engine, which runs on unleaded fuel. Mrs Higley uses the car for work while her husband uses his bicycle to get around. Spending on petrol is about £20 per week. Neither of them smoke and they drink wine at weekends and occasionally Mr Higley treats himself to a four- pack of beer. They eat out once a month.

Mr Higley said: "I like the odd drink and not having to fork out for the privilege as a result of Mr Brown's latest plans and his apparent liking for a tipple, albeit whiskey in his case, is a nice touch."

Their weekly shop sets them back around £120 and their bills for gas, electricity, water and phone costs them £30 per week.

Rates on their home come to £1,000 a year.

The Higleys will be about £10 a month better off as a result of the taxation changes and assistance with childcare fees.