PETERSFIELD council tax payers who are already set to cough up almost 10 per cent extra this year could end up paying nearly double that, if a precept decision is overturned.

New figures being bandied about are for increases of between 14.9 per cent and 18.9 per cent – an inflating-busting hike of around £15 on the annual council tax bills for band D council tax payers.

The original Petersfield Town Council precept increase of 9.9 per cent was agreed by a single vote by town councillors last month.

But now four town councillors, including mayor George Watkinson and Mary Vincent, his deputy, are signatories to a letter requesting that "the budget be revisited".

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