Eastbourne residents face a 4.5 per cent increase in their council tax bills for the next year.

The council's ruling Cabinet recommended the increase last night.

Householders in a typical Band D property would pay £131.16 a year for the borough council's share of their bill, an increase of £5.65.

The rise will go before the council when it sets its final budget on February 27.

The cabinet also agreed its recommendations on how much should be spent on projects in the town.

They included £20,000 on youth and community centres, £10,000 on Christmas lights and £60,000 on introducing a street warden scheme.

Council leader Graham Marsden said: "The budget, with its modest increase of 4.5 per cent, is evidence the council is providing value for money through sound financial management."

East Sussex County Council has indicated its portion of the tax bill will increase by 5.2 per cent. The figure will be finalised next week.

The current rate of inflation is 1.9 per cent. The budget recommendation was agreed unanimously by members of the cabinet.

Coun Marsden said: "The council is putting people first by targeting resources to community projects and the voluntary sector, as well as challenging those who behave in an anti-social manner."

Coun Marsden said the budget fell within the Government's assumed increase of 7.4 per cent.

Lewes District Council has recommended a rise of 14 per cent for its budget.