A petition with more than 10,000 names was today heading to Downing Street in protest at council tax increases in East Sussex.

Residents in Hastings and St Leonards have been hit with an inflation-busting rise of 20.3 per cent this year.

A six-strong delegation from People Against Rises in Council Tax (Part) was heading to the capital to register their disgust.

The signatures have been collected on the streets since council tax bills started arriving through people's doors in April.

Jean Harris, 68, a Part committee member, said: "There is outright anger that the authorities can inflict such a rise in what is one of the poorest towns in the county.

"We have received support from broad sections of community but particularly among pensioners who are struggling as it is without having to find extra money."

Tory-held East Sussex County Council has insisted protesters angered at the hikes should direct their bile at government officials at Whitehall.

Council bosses have said officials have diverted funds from impoverished southern areas, like East Sussex, to Labour heartlands in the north.

However, Mrs Harris said: "We blame all the authorities. It is like a Punch and Judy show, with each one blaming the other.

"If they each took a more careful look at their spending and cut their cloth accordingly, then residents like us wouldn't be hit so hard.

"With talk of there being another massive increase of around 17 per cent next year, we hope this petition will send a clear signal that we will not tolerate it."

Huge council tax rises were replicated across East Sussex this year.

In Eastbourne, residents were hit with a staggering 38 per cent rise, the fourth highest increase in England and Wales.

It meant average Band D properties were forced to pay four-figure bills for the first time.