A freeze on council tax was agreed by North Norfolk District Council last night despite having to make cuts in its �16m budget.

Band D householders will again pay an average �138.87 for their district services in the coming year, as councillors also agreed to keep parking charges and season tickets at current levels.

Proposing the budget cabinet resources member Peter Moore said the council was facing a �2m, 26pc, cut in government grants over the next two years, which was much higher than first anticipated.

But the freeze had brought a funding bonus from the government. and saw the council protecting services which added to the quality of life, such as a clean environment, well-managed coast, sports, toilets, woodlands, country parks and arts.

The budget was achieved by making savings of �1.1m next year and using �829,000 from reserves.

The council was also investing in capital schemes totalling �823,000 including redeveloping Wells Maltings, extending a factory at Fakenham, toilet improvements at Sheringham, North Walsham and Mundesley, pier and promenade work at Cromer, and a games area at Stalham.

Opposition leader Angie Fitch-Tillett said the zero rise was 'music to my ears' but it was sad that it had been brought about by a government diktat.