CLAIMS for tripping on Bury's pavements have cost the council £12 million in the last five years.

That is the amount highways bosses have either paid out or have put aside to meet 2,248 claims, equivalent to £5,375 for each one.

Councillors have asked for an in-depth report into all aspects of "claims culture", which they say is a growth industry.

Local taxpayers bear the brunt of paying out on claims. Two years ago, the councils insurance premiums were tripled to £4.5 million, which put 3.8 per cent onto the council tax.

The report will look at the law, historical trends and comparisons with other councils. It will also examine the existing inspection, repair and maintenance regimes, and draw up an action plan for improvements. It will take nine months to complete, and focus on claims relating to highways cleansing, snow and ice, highway grass cutting and tree maintenance, as well as roads and pavements.

Mr Mike Cannon, borough engineer, said the rise in claims reflected a national trend, but the council was putting measures in place to tackle it.

"We have increased the number of "street care" inspectors to pick up defects and get them fixed quicker than in the past, and therefore be in a better position to rebut claims," he said. "We have also put in more money to do repairs, along with more planned maintenance work, and well see what more we can do."

Mr Cannon said it was a vicious circle that the more money the council paid out in claims, the less it had to spend on repairs, which then lead to more claims. "We'd rather divert the money into highways than increased insurance claims," he said.