COUNCIL taxes could soar in some areas thanks to the housing boom, say experts.

The warning comes as a review of council tax bands is due to take place in April.

Bands are currently based on the value of homes in 1991 but the new bands will reflect the house's value in four months' time.

In Preston, homes in Plungington and Ashton, near the University of Central Lancashire, have seen massive price hikes in the last 13 years, according to estate agents.

And in Leyland, homes in Farington, and around the catchment area for Balshaws High School, Church Road, have also seen large increases.

"The overall amount of tax councils collect will be the same. But areas where house prices have risen above average since '91, could end up in higher bands and paying more," said South Ribble MP, David Borrow.

Mr Borrow worked for the house valuation appeals body, the Valuation Tribunal Service, from 1975-97, before becoming an MP.

He said the change of bands will not come into force until 2007, but council tax payers would have a chance to appeal if they felt they had been put in an inappropriate band.

Jane Catrell, of Reeds Rains estate agents, Fishergate, Preston, said: "Plungington and Ashton have done really well since the early nineties.

"It's all to do with being near the university. A property worth about £90,000 now would have cost about £30,000 back then.

"But a property in Ribbleton that was also worth £30,000 back then might now only be worth around £70,000."

Sandra Lambert of Lambert & Wakefield, Hough Lane, Leyland, said prices in Leyland had risen well across the board.

She said: "Houses in the Balshaws' catchment area and those in Farington have had extremely big increases."

Mrs Lambert added that a terrace in Farington worth between £17,000 and £25,000 in 1991 would now fetch £90,000 to £100,000.

Mr Borrow added that residents in areas whose homes have risen below the average could see in drop in their tax bill.