Council tax payers in Leeds are likely to face a rise in their bills of just under eight per cent.

The city council says the extra money is needed to pay for essential improvements in its services.

In particular, �4.3m is being earmarked for road maintenance, community safety and street cleaning.

The council says that the increase will amount to less than an extra �2 a week for most householders.

And it claims that Leeds has the lowest council tax of any of the major cities in the UK.

Senior councillors will be meeting to approve the increase before it goes to the full council.