Council rents in Winchester aren't going up by as much as had been feared.

The city's 5,300 tenants will pay 2% more next year - even though Government advice had been that rents should rise by 3.5%.

Garage rents will go up 2.5% and the city council has delayed a decision on higher service charges.

The rent rise has been pegged because the council has a surplus in its housing budget.

However, leader, Sheila Campbell, warned that there would be a "significant" council tax rise the following year.