COUNCIL tax-dodgers owe East Lancashire authorities more than £6million, it has been revealed.

Town halls are missing out on vital funds that could be spent on services, with only three East Lancashire authorities owed less than £1million in the year up to April.

Paul McCarthy, the regional secretary of the GMB union, which released the data, said the amount of council tax uncollected had reduced slightly but remained “stubbornly high”.

He added: “This money is urgently needed by councils to provide necessary services particularly to the elderly and vulnerable.”

Although councils use bailiffs to collect the money, there are fears avoiding council tax is still seen as a “softer option” by hard-up people struggling with different debts.

According to the 2007 figures, East Lancashire authorities are owed £6,589,000 in unpaid rates.

Hyndburn council is owed the most out of East Lancashire councils, at £1,479,000.

Blackburn was owed £1,447,000, Burnley £1,093,000, Pendle £1,013,000, Rossendale £759,000, and Chorley £560,000.

Ribble Valley recorded the second-lowest total in the North West, at just £238,000.

All councils apart from Blackburn with Darwen also collect money on behalf of Lancashire County Council, which accounts for about 70 per cent of a household bill.

Across all 408 British councils council tax of more than £745million is outstanding.