HOUSEHOLDERS are facing a rise of almost five percent when their council tax bills drop through the letter box from April - and they're not happy about it.

We revealed Swindon Borough councillors are being asked to agree a 4.99 increase when they meet on Thursday next week to discuss the budget. It means an extra £76.65 a year for band D properties.

The Conservative administration says it's been tough and £38m of cuts- including jobs - have had to be found, but it's less than the rate of inflation.

Adver readers expected the rise but were highly critical of the council and worried about the extra cost, especially if their income hadn't increased.

Here's what they said on social media...

Jane Rhoda Gallo: "And the government wonder why people are on strike. Stop giving House's of parliament big fat pay rises and large expense accounts .for sitting on their backsides."

Richard David Limbrick: "Is there an exact form to fill to move out of the country?"

Jamie M D Francome: "25 per cent rise in five years, laughable."

Lisa Covey: "Some people struggle now especially with the hike of energy bills, surely the government can see how much this will effect people already struggling."

Mark Eustace: "You should be asking what you will get in return."

Richard Clark: "In return you get the same as we’ve been getting for years. More homes, which produce even more council tax. Unfortunately all our town’s services are shrinking."

Skočko Veliki: "Don't be silly, mate. It's been told that there are only 19 potholes in town. They do the all so necessary bus boulevard. Demolishing the tented marketplace, close all the unnecessary town centre to cut costs... We're getting to be a metropolis at this rate."

Chris Z Burger: "It will be more than monthly mortgage payment soon."

Elspeth Hughes: "Where do they think us mere mortals will get the money? Everything is going up except people's income..."

Madi Jenks: "Huge mistake they will only be putting more people in debt."

Angela Dixon: "Yep they don’t care though."

Adrian Champ: "People complain that our public services are not getting enough money then in the next breath complain about paying more in tax. You should expect council tax to increase broadly with inflation every year."

Tina Mottram: " I agree however you do have to look around Swindon and wonder where the money is being spent, our town centre is a dumping ground, we have very little family services on offer, it’s become an eye sore, I am all up for price hikes when you see someone merging in return."

Matt Strong: " Except the Tories have massively cut central funding to councils so you pay more for your council tax and get less and less in return.......brilliant."

Catherine Waterfield: "I would be happy to pay more for better public services, but it gets spent on constant road works that then fail and need re-doing. The waste annoys me."

Dave Lafferty: "They have to, the Coate Water Park diving board is going to need painting again, it's covered in bird poo."