THE town council precept for Brynmawr is to rise 56 per cent this year - the largest increase in Blaenau Gwent.

The hike has been criticised as "unacceptable" by Blaenau Gwent council leader John Hopkins, who represents Brynmawr. Other precept increases in the area range from five per cent to 11 per cent.

But Robert Ball, a member of the independent-ruled town council, defended the rise, saying it was necessary to enable them to do more for the town.

The 56 per cent rise will mean council taxpayers in Band D homes in Brynmawr paying an extra £8.75 in the next financial year.

That represents a rise in the precept from £15.50 last year to £24.25 from April. The overall council tax that Brynmawr residents in Band D properties will pay is £1,166.37. In other Blaenau Gwent areas, Band D residents' community or town council precept increases are: *Abertillery and Llanhilleth - up 5.2 per cent to £16.68 *Nantyglo and Blaina - up 11.4 per cent to £20.05 *Tredegar - up 5.5 per cent to £27.98.

Councillor Hopkins said: "We have an elderly population in Brynmawr and this is an unrealistic rise.

"If they have to increase it they should have done it incrementally over a period of time. I hope the rise next year and the year after will be nought."

But Mr Ball said the precept only just covered the costs of administering the town council and statutory obligations.

"Running costs eat up about 90 to 95 per cent of the money so we wouldn't be able to do anything if we only had a five per cent rise," he said.

"We want to engage the youth in the town and be more proactive."

He said the rise equated to around 75p a month for Band