TEST Valley Borough councillors are to urge the Government to review the council tax system after the public outcry over huge hikes in cost.

Cllr Robin Hughes, of Alamein ward, called for colleagues to support his motion to register concern about hefty council tax increases at the full council meeting.

He said: "The shortfall in Government grant causes great problems, meaning cuts or large increases or both have to be made to balance the books.

"This unfair tax is hurting people with low or minimum incomes."

Councillors voted in favour of the motion, which called for the present system to be abolished.

The council noted that bills have risen considerably since the Labour Government came into power in 1997 and called for changes in the disproportionate system.

Cllr Alan Dowden said: "It's almost a crisis now. Elderly people have risen and are prepared to go to jail over this." Cllr Daniel Busk also called for a reduction in over-spending at borough and county council level.