Christopher Scott, 69, and his wife Mary live on a state pension and a small private one.

Their three-bedroom semi in Pinehurst falls into Band C, making their council tax bill £925.57.

Mr Scott said the new council tax bill will account for roughly one month's of their joint income. His council tax has increased from £541.52 in 1998.

He said: "My income goes up by 2.5 per cent this year and the council tax increase is six times that.

"Then you hear that councillors are awarding themselves a 43 per cent increase in what they get paid.

"I'm not moaning about my lot but pensioners and other people on low incomes continue to have an unfair deal.

"My income is fixed so if I'm going to be paying out an extra £3 a week in council tax I can't spend the money on other things.

"Many people have to take on these increases and then make some very difficult choices on what they can spend their money on."