SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE is one of the worst ten regions in the South West for collecting council tax, according to new figures.

The authority collected 96.6 percent of tax in 2003/04 but failed to rake in the outstanding £2.7 million and reach the national average of 97.5 percent.

It came 39th on a list of the other 45 local authorities in the region ahead of Bristol, Gloucester and bottom of the list Plymouth, where six percent of council tax was not collected.

East Dorset fared the best in the South West by collecting 99.2 percent of tax.

Ted Purcell, of GMB, which published the findings, said: "The movement of people and out of council areas impacts on collection rates, as does evasion and cheating.

"The worst performing councils must be prepared to learn from the better ones. "Councillors in the worst performing councils need to get their finger out to put a stop to inefficiency and cheating."

He said the loss of revenue can lead to poorer services and conditions of employment.

A council spokesman, however, said £80 million was collected and that work was continuing to improve collection rates.

He added: "We are currently on target to improve collection figures for this financial year.

"A better computer system that automatically prompts residents when they have missed a payment has been put in place, as well as a private bailiff company to take action and also by taking more residents to court for non-payment."