THE bill to council tax payers for funding Bristol's firefighters is set to go up.

While the local authorities and the police have frozen their part of the council tax bill the precept that goes to Avon Fire and Rescue Service will increase by almost four per cent in April.

Avon Fire Authority members voted for the increase to safeguard the future of the emergency service.

They said the 3.96 per cent increase will equate to an increase of £2.38 a year for a Band D property, resulting in an annual precept of £67.70.

The increased precept means Avon Fire and Rescue Service will have a budget of about £46.5 million for the coming year, once combined with the money it receives direct from the Government. There was the chance of a one-off payment from the Government if the precept had been frozen but the authority said that would have lead to future cuts.

Avon Fire Authority chairman Terry Walker said: "I accept that this was a difficult decision for members, as no one wants to see household budgets squeezed, even if it is by a very small amount. However, the decision to freeze the council tax precept again this year would have led to much more difficult decisions beyond 2013, including the possible reduction in frontline staff numbers and/or fire station closures."