The Government is planning to introduce new targets meaning all local authorities will be expected to meet a target of 98.2 % collection for council tax.

But in Cumbria, Barrow Council collects just 94.9 % of council tax demands and Carlisle Council just 95.9 %.

Now members of Carlisle Council are to meet to consider how they can tackle the problem.

The two authorities could also do better with the collection of the business tax - non domestic rates council tax - which the Government wants to see at 98.7 % by 2005.

Carlisle comes in bottom in Cumbria at 96.4% and Barrow at 97.8 %.

Eden District Council tops the county's collection table with 99.1 % for council tax and 99.5 % for rates.