Council tax bills in Brighton and Hove will increase by six per cent from April.

The rise, double the inflation rate, is the same as the level forecast by Brighton and Hove Council chiefs last year.

It is lower than rises which have been passed for the last two financial years.

The weekly rise for a Band C property will be 81p. In a budget going before the authority's policy committee on Wednesday, efficiency savings are proposed totalling £2 million.

At the same time, an increase of £5 million is proposed for the council's social care department.

This will be achieved through reviews of home care and children and family services and by selling some offices.

There will also be a £6.5 million rise in education spending while £370,000 is being set aside for kerbside recycling.

Other proposals include more investment in housing and local transport schemes and setting aside £500,000 to deal with flood damage.

There will also be free internet access at libraries and free bus passes for pensioners. Another £500,000 will be spent on computer equipment while a further £700,000 will tackle problems in deprived areas.

The council will also underwrite the costs of restoring the Dome organ and will put forward measures to protect sensitive sites from travellers.

Finance Cabinet councillor Simon Charleton said school funding was being increased by more than twice the inflation rate while the council was having to spend above budget on its caring services.

He said: "We will also be investing to improve the quality of many other services for local people."