The county has asked for more cash help from central government.

But Cumbria County Council leader Rex Toft says he has "no great hopes" of receiving any more state aid.

Mr Toft says the council is faced with increasing council tax and also making big cuts to the authority's road maintenance budget.

Rex Toft: Not hopeful of government help

Mr Toft met junior minister Tony McNulty in London to ask for more cash.

He told him that a grant of £13m should have been nearer £30m to meet the county's spending requirements.

But he said while the minister listened "very politely and carefully", he did not expect any substantial help.

The council's cabinet will discuss budget options when it meets on Tuesday.

Mr Toft said cuts to road maintenance in the county would put lives at risk.

Pay increases

He said: "The situation we are faced with is totally unacceptable.

"If we do not get any help from government then we will have to ask council tax payers to foot the bill."

The threat of a huge council tax rise comes as council leaders defend proposals to give senior managers substantial pay increases.

Chief executive, Louis Victory, is in line for a 23% rise while a further 37 senior managers are in line for increases of between 8-18%.

The council's cabinet was lobbied on Tuesday by union members protesting against the proposals.

They fear the rises could lead to cuts in services.

Mr Toft says efficiency savings will pay for the increases.