LEISURE facilities under Rossendale Council control are facing a two and a half per cent hike in charges, in a bid to meet new performance criteria.

The news comes after the authority announced a possible 15 per cent increase in council tax. The council, branded the worst in the country following an Audit Commission report, said residents faced the rise or further cuts in services.

But council tax payers in the Valley said they were sick of being made to pay for the council's past mistakes and felt they didn't get value for their money.

Now they could be asked to pay an extra 25p for every £10 they spend at any of the Valley's remaining leisure facilities if the proposals get the go-ahead at tomorrow night's leisure committee meeting.

Ken Claxon, acting leisure manager, said: "At the present, time the authority is undergoing considerable change. Not only in its management structure, but also its philosophy to the delivery of its services.

"These changes do mean the authority and its partners are consulting with the community and formulating new strategies and reviewing procedures at both corporate and service level.

"These consultations will impact on the pricing structure of the authority. It is felt that to make major changes in the pricing structure would not be appropriate. However, there is still a need to continue to achieve the present income levels."

The rise would allow the council to promote and market facilities, which has not been done effectively in the past.

A spokesman for Pendle Leisure, who have taken over the running of the council's leisure facilities, said: "In comparison to Pendle, the increase seems to be fair. Other areas within in the region have been looked at to provide a fair increase for Rossendale."