SWINDON'S council tax is slightly below the national average.

Figures released by the Government yesterday show that on average a Band D home will pay £1,143.

In Swindon, the average figure for a Band D home is £1,130.52.

It changes in different areas of town because some places, such as Covingham, have parish councils, which decide the level of their own precept.

Areas without a parish council are also charged a supplementary fee by Swindon Council for services that would usually be looked after by a parish council.

Council tax is made up of Swindon Council's share, which is the largest part, and also charges from the police and fire service, and from parish councils.

The increase in Swindon Council's portion was agreed at 7.3 per cent, although the overall increase in the bill is higher than that because of the ten per cent increase levied by the police authority and the fire service.

Swindon Council's levy could still change because the Government has threatened to cap or forcibly reduce any increase more than five per cent.

But Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford has said councils will have to wait until the end of the month to see if there will be a change.

If there is, Swindon Council's bills, which have already been sent out, will have to be reprinted and re sent, costing thousands of pounds.