COUNCILS across East Lancashire are waiting to hear how much money they have been allocated by the Government for the next financial year.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was expected to make an announcement in the House of Commons today.

Councils, including Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle, Burnley, Rossendale, Ribble Valley, Lancashire County and Hyndburn, will be told how much cash they can use.

The money will be used to provide council services and local policing. And it will determine the levels of council tax local authorities decide to impose in the coming year.

A spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said the allocation made up almost 80 per cent of council budgets.