Council tax payers in Christchurch are being canvassed for their views as the borough heads for an estimated £400,000 shortfall on its budget for next year.

Extra burdens placed by government on the council like free travel for pensioners and increased recycling rates are blamed.

To make the books balance civic chiefs are embarking on some serious number crunching to avoid swingeing cuts in services or a sharp increase in the 2006 council tax demand.

Top town hall officers and leading councillors will be touring the borough in the coming weeks to talk to residents associations and parish councils ahead of the final budget.

Cllr Mike Duckworth, portfolio holder for well managed council and chairman of the purse-holding resources committee, said: "These events have proved very successful in past years. It allows us to find out what our residents feel is important in the way the council is run."

Council tax roadshows: November 7, Christchurch Citizens Association, Druitt hall, 7.30 pm; November 11, Stanpit village hall, 7.30 pm; November 17, St Catherine's Hill community centre, 7.30 pm; November 24, Burton village hall, 7.30 pm; December 3, St Mark's church hall, Highliffe, 2 pm.

First published: November 1