COUNCIL tax-payers in Blackburn and Darwen will see their bills rise by 1.9per cent next month, it was decided this evening.

The budget for the 2010/11 financial was agreed after a three-hour meeting at Blackburn Town Hall.

The rise, which is below the level of inflation, will add £23.63 to the bill for the average Band D household.

Conservative resources chief Colin Rigby said extra cash was being invested into elderly people's care and looking after vulnerable children, and claimed the council's "sensible approach" had allowed record capital investment in highways and schools.

But his Labour counterpart Dave Harling told him he should be thanking the government for a string of initiatives and extra funding that has come into the borough.

Contributions towards Lancashire fire and police will also be added to each bill, as will the cost of smaller town and parish councils in some areas.

The newly-formed Darwen Town Council will cost each Band D household in the town an extra £14 next year.