ANGRY clashes over councillors "having their snouts in the trough" greeted Burnley politicians agreeing a 3.8 per cent rise in the borough's council tax precept.

Councillors' expenses will rise by between 17 to 22 per cent, this year - and Labour members urged the ruling Tory and Liberal Democrat alliance to reject the increase.

The call came amid controversy over funding for refurbishments to Padiham Leisure Centre - each ward must give up a £10,000 handout from the Capital Opportunities Fund to fund the project.

Labour councillor Mark Townsend proposed reducing the expenses increase to two per cent, which would subsidise increased borrowing for the leisure centre revamp.

Coun Townsend said: "We do not want to be blamed for having our snouts in the trough.

"This is an obscene rise."

But Lib-Dem councillor Darren Reynolds backed the rises, set by an independent panel, and added: "If we have to retain the talent we have on these benches then it is important to raise the levels of expenses appropriately."

Councillors rejected a Labour amendment sugge-sting a 3.5 per cent council tax increase, funded by the expenses cuts.

And a British National Party amendment, recommending £150,000 be cut from a community cohesion fund to pay for the leisure centre upgrade, was also defeated.