PEOPLE who are struggling to pay their Council Tax because they have been hit by the recession are being urged to seek help immediately from Fenland District Council. A council spokesman said: It is vital that people don t ignore their Council Tax debts

PEOPLE who are struggling to pay their Council Tax because they have been hit by the recession are being urged to seek help immediately from Fenland District Council.

A council spokesman said: "It is vital that people don't ignore their Council Tax debts thinking they will just go away. A benefit scheme exists to help households who find themselves in financial difficulties. Claim forms can be got from our website, www.fenland.gov.uk, by emailing benefits@fenland.gov.uk, from any Fenland@your service shop or by phoning 01354 654321. Advice is available not only Monday to Friday but also on Saturday mornings."

The council issued its advice after a self-employed March man who had defaulted on his Council Tax arrears was told he would go to prison if he failed to pay up.

David Mears said his income had been badly affected by the recession. He admitted that he failed to contact the council to try to resolve the problem. The chairman of the magistrates' bench said: "The court knows that the council would have bent over backwards to help him had he asked.