At a full council meeting last night, Dudley councillors also confirmed the closure of Dudley Museum.

It comes as the authority aims to make savings of £20 million over the next three years.

The cash strapped council will increase its share of council tax by 1.99 per cent and take up a Government offer to increase it by a further two per cent for adult social care.

This means residents living in band c properties acan expect to pay an extra 77p per week or around £40.00 per year.

Councillor David Sparks, cabinet member for finance, said that they had never been in a position of predicting so many cuts ahead before.