Cumbria's average council tax bill will rise by �70-a-year

Opposition councillors criticised the increase, voted in by the county's controlling Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition on Thursday.

The rise will add at least �70-a-year to most council tax bills in Cumbria.

But an outburst by People Party councillor Jim Hamzean resulted in him being led out of the council chamber in Carlisle by police.

The council says it is being forced to bring in the rise because of a shortfall in government grants.

Councillor Hamzean, who represents Barrow, said all he wanted to do was put questions to council leaders.

'Massive increase'

He said: "We were going to put two questions to the chairman under the public participation scheme, which is our democratic right.

"We are protesting at a massive council tax increase of 12% and an even larger pay rise for the chief executive."

But council leader Rex Toft said Mr Hamzean failed to follow proper procedures in putting his questions to the chamber.

He said Mr Hamzean should have submitted his questions in advance and not have used the public gallery.

Cumbria County Council says it remains determined not to cut front line services such as education and social services.

But road maintenance is likely to suffer with a probable 21% cut in the highways budget.

The council was allocated an extra �13m by the government for 2003, but has been told to spend an extra �26m on services and has had its highways grant cut by �5.5m.