COUNCIL tax payers in Warminster are likely to be charged an extra £2.89 each to cover town council expenditure in the next financial year.

The six per cent rise will see the average precept for Warminster set at £53.76, if the proposed figures are agreed on by the full town council on January 19. This amount will form part of residents' total council tax bills for the year 2004-5, which begins in April.

Cllr Paul Batchelor was quick to allay fears such a rise was unnecessary.

He said: "Most of that six per cent is represented by funds set aside for a community support officer, which will benefit the whole community."

Councillors hope the police will have a full time CSO in place later this year.

Civic leaders in Melksham are due to set the town's council tax rate at a meeting on Monday. The town council's finance committee recommended no change to the levels earlier this week.