A TAX rise of almost six per cent has been rubber stamped by borough council bosses.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has now approved a council tax hike of 2.99 per cent - plus a three per cent increase towards social care.

The largest local authorities in England, which include Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire County Council, have been given permission by the Government to raise council tax by up to 5.99 per cent.

It is the maximum permitted increase without the need to hold a referendum.

The increase means people living in an average band A property will pay £1,140 and for £1,330.71 for a band B property.

Band C property owners will have to pay £1,520.79 and £1,710.91 for band D.

Cllr Andy Kay, executive member for resources and deputy leader of the council, said: "We are reluctantly having to raise council tax in line with the Government’s assumptions.

"However Blackburn with Darwen’s council tax remains low when compared to other councils, it has the second lowest council tax in Lancashire, though we know that any increase adds to the very real pressures people are already facing.

"We urge the Government to look into funding adult’s social care properly instead of placing the burden on council tax payers.

"We are working hard to ensure we can continue to provide the services that mean the most to people in the borough, particularly the most vulnerable."

Since 2010 Blackburn with Darwen Council has lost approximately 40 per cent of its funding from central government, while costs have grown for social care, highways and waste disposal.

The Conservative group however voted against the tax rise during Monday's finance council meeting.

Cllr John Slater, who is the Conservative group leader, said: "The government gave them three years to raise the six per cent and could have eased the burden of the tax payer.

"We would have raised it by one per cent this year and one per cent next year.

"They blame government cuts but it's not the government that has chosen to introduce parking charges in Darwen or spend £9m on a cinema.

"There are different ways of doing things but we can't do anything about it unless we are in power."