Anger has greeted the news that residents in Band D properties will pay more than equivalent households in Spalding, where a majority of the region's sports and leisure facilities are based.

County councillor Chris Brewis said it was unfair that people living in Spalding had easy access to facilities, including the swimming pool and cinema, while Sutton Bridge residents living 17 miles away footed a larger chunk of the bill.

Mr Brewis said: "The issue here is equality. Spalding people should pay more or else free transport should be provided from Sutton Bridge and surrounding villages so they can use the facilities."

The issue was raised by residents at the annual parish meeting last month when town council chairman David Dewsbury said as far as South Holland Council was concerned, Sutton Bridge "may as well be on the moon."

He told the Lynn News: "We would like the people in Spalding to know what people out here in the sticks have got to do to use the facilities.

"It's a 32-mile round trip from this side of the river and a 34-mile trip from Wingland.

"Then there's the price of diesel and petrol and you have to pay to use the facilities when you get there, such as the cinema at the civic centre."

A person in a Band D property in Spalding will pay £1,427.52 in the next financial year whereas someone in the same band in Sutton Bridge will pay £1,439.58.

The inequality in the bill stems from Sutton Bridge Town Council setting its parish precept at £33.28 compared to the £21.22 being charged through the Spalding special expenses.

The share paid to the district council is the same throughout South Holland, but as Sutton Bridge is based on the fringes of the region, residents have questioned why they should pay the same amount and have to travel to use certain facilities.

Council tax bills have already been delivered, but could be reduced if the Government decides to cap Lincolnshire Police's precept, which this year increased by 78.9 per cent.