A NIGHTMARE Budget has left Bury Council leaders facing even worse cuts than they feared.

And, as finance chiefs sifted through detailed figures this week, early indications were that services would be axed to the tune of £13.3 million, while council tax bills would rise by eight per cent.

Coun John Byrne, leader of the council, said: "Local people will be paying more and getting less. It's as simple as that."

Bury Town Hall was left reeling after seeing the figures that followed Kenneth Clarke's budget on Tuesday. After preliminary talks with civil servants, the council were fearing cuts in the region of £12 million, on top of a total of £25 million axed over the past five years.

On Wednesday, the council learned that capping levels - limits on the amount the council can raise on local tax - would be £1.4 million tighter than expected, money which will have to come out of council budgets.

The council's tight finances have already helped contribute to the bed-blocking crisis currently gripping local hospitals. Finance chairman Coun Stephen Perkins said: "This really is our worst nightmare come true.

"It is a disaster for Bury Council and a disaster for the people of Bury."

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