DARWEN MP Jake Berry has urged the council to freeze council tax and take advantage of an offer of funding from the Government.

It comes as Lancashire County Council announced a two per cent rise in council tax for residents elsewhere in East Lancashire.

In a letter sent to the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Coun Kate Hollern, Mr Berry said: “As you will be aware, the chancellor of the exchequer has announced that funding will again be available for all councils who choose to freeze council tax.

“I would like to take this oppoertunity to strongly urge Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to accept this funding in order to freeze council tax for my constituents.

“A council tax freeze would provide welcome relief for families and hardworiking people across Darwen and I would be grateful if you could confirm the council’s current intentions regarding this matter.”

Darwen Town Council has already announced it will freeze its portion of the council tax precept.