Most Keighley taxpayers will be paying 28p per week for the 2008/9 financial year, to support the work of their town council.

Councillors have agreed to levy a precept for a total of £341,500 towards the cost of running services.

This is a 15 per cent rise on the precept raised in 2007/8.

The proposed budget was put forward by the chairman of the council's finance committee, Councillor John Philip.

He stressed: "The town council has to honour its commitment to supporting the re-vamp of Church Green by raising 36,000 in partnership with the Town Centre Association to launch the first stage of its restoration."

He added the council was also making further major investments in allotments, policing, the Town Hall Square and local community groups.

He said: "Despite all these commitments we have been able to keep the cost on Band D homes to £21.59 per year, or 42p per week, an increase of £2.82 per year.

"However, the vast majority of householders in Keighley will be paying 28p per week, as more than half the households are in Band A.

"It should be noted that 70 per cent of this increase will be spent on the Church Green project."