FARNHAM households must shoulder increased levies in April from three of the four authorities whose demands make up the council tax bill.

Waverley Borough Council, whose spending accounts for just 10 per cent of the bill, is poised to freeze its part of the council tax when the full council meets on February 21.

But Surrey County Council, which takes the lion's share of the tax, on Tuesday passed up the Coalition's 2.5 per cent tax freeze grant as expected and confirmed its levy will go up by 2.99 per cent.

The move - in the face of warnings from Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles that council tax rises were "a kick in the teeth for hard working decent taxpayers" - will add £33.38 to a Band D taxpayer's annual bill.

Coupled with a 5.99 per cent increase already agreed by Farnham Town Council and 2.5 per cent from Surrey Police Authority, that average household will have to find £41.37 extra.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.