North Norfolk District Council has announced its best tax collection performance in a decade.

The council has beaten its targets by collecting 98.7pc of council tax funds in the area, and 99.36pc in business rates.

A total of almost £10 million has been retained by the council, for spending on essential services such as refuse collection, planning, environmental health, leisure facilities, as well as environmental protection, housing benefits and emergency accommodation.

Councillor Wyndham Northam, cabinet member for financial services and revenues and benefits, said: 'This is a reflection of a great deal of hard work put in by the teams responsible for collecting these monies. This revenue collected will make a real difference at a time when resources are limited and funding is reduced.'

Both the percentages for council tax and business rates are the second highest percentages ever hit by the council.