COUNCILLORS in Fareham last night voted to award themselves a 20 per cent pay rise.

The hike will cost the borough's taxpayers around £38,000, but was recommended by an independent panel because of the growing burden of work falling on elected officials.

It is the first rise in allowances since a reorganisation of the council eight years ago, which saw the number of elected representatives fall to 31.

Liberal Democrat members argued against the ruling Conservative group's proposal to accept the increase, but were defeated by 17 votes to seven.

They did however win a separate vote which could now for the first time see their own spokespeople receive financial recognition for their roles in opposition.

Lib Dem group leader Roger Price told councillors their allowances are already above average in Hampshire.

"I don't justly believe that the extra workload that will be taken on by members is going to need a 20 per cent pay increase," he said. "I think it's totally and utterly wrong."

Fellow opposition member, Jack Englefield said councillors needed to be paid to encourage people from all walks of life to get involved in civic duty.

"To get younger people in I think they should have some income, but 20 per cent at this time, when people are finding it difficult to pay for rises in bills, does smell of snouts in the trough," he said.

"If you ask the residents of Fareham I bet you wouldn't find a single one to support this and I think it's wrong for our workers, and we should be incensed by what they're getting."

But deputy leader of the Tory group, Arthur Mandry, urged members to back the rise, saying individuals are under no obligation to claim the extra money once it is in place.

"If there's a councillor that doesn't think they're worth the increase, don't take it," he said.

"Nobody has to take any allowances if they don't wish to."

He was backed by Cllr Ernest Crouch, who said councillors' roles have changed dramatically in the last 25 years.

Cllr Crouch said far more responsibility now falls on members, who put in many more hours than ever before, and their allowances should reflect the workload.

"The question is, is it earned and do you get value?" he said.