Council tax in Adur District Council's area could soar by almost 15 per cent from April.

In addition to the rise, council services will face stringent cuts in a bid to save £200,000 in the next financial year.

The increase would see council tax for Band D homes in Shoreham and Southwick rise from £186 to £199.

Lancing residents would see their Band D contributions rise from £186 to £209 after a ten per cent parish council increase.

Adur's executive policy board is being asked to approve a 14.75 per cent overall increase in council tax charges when it considers its budget for 2002/3 tonight.

Chief finance officer Alan Smith said the council had relied on its reserves in the past to avoid cuts in services or increases in council tax.

He said this was no longer sustainable and the council now needed to make "significant" cuts or council tax increases.

Mr Smith said: "The executive board needs to agree a workable combination of tax increases, use of reserves and possible spending cuts."