EPPING Forest District Council is considering a council tax rise of 2.5 per cent, it has been revealed.

The increase will see the tax for a medium band D property go up from £146.61p to £150.30p.

It represents a rise just below the current rate of inflation which stands at 2.9 per cent.

However the key tax rate on top of the district authority precept comes from Essex County Council, which is expected to make an announcement in the coming days.

Yesterday it warned of "tough times" and said many other local authorities had agreed to rises above the rate of inflation.

The district council tax rate must go through several committee stages before it is agreed.

A final vote of the full council on its budget for the 2010/11 financial year is to be held on Tuesday February 16.