TEIGNMOUTH residents are being asked to pay more to run the town council.

The budget for the coming year is being increased to £266,250, a hike of 6.5 per cent, which works out at an extra £2.81 a year for a Band D property.

Councillors believe it is good value, with a busy year of projects and events ahead.

The rise was approved without dissent on Tuesday and Cllr Sylvia Russell, chairman of the finance and general purposes committee, described it as 'a very modest increase.'

She emphasised that Teignmouth was still one of the lowest precepting towns in Teignbridge, and pointed out it faced extra expense to organise the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and the arrival of the Olympic torch on its way to London.

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