THE leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough's Conservative group has condemned the authority's growing level of debt.

Cllr John Slater said that despite suggesting a slightly lower council tax rise than the ruling Labour administration's 3.99 per cent his members would abstain on the budget a the special finance meeting on Monday.

He said: "They have had a lot of money from the government but they are doing the best they can. The council's debt is on the verge of mismanagement of the people’s money. It means that 26 per cent of the total revenue raised is going on servicing debt. We are technically insolvent."

Borough finance boss Cllr Vicky McGurk said: "It is inaccurate to say that the council's debt is higher than our assets."

The proposed rise will increase the total council tax bill for the Band A terraced homes which make up the majority of the borough’s housing stock by £52.70 a year, or £1.01 a week, to £1,287.62 for the 12 months from April 1.