District councillors have given themselves an early Christmas present by awarding themselves a pay rise costing more than £299,000.

Vale of White Horse district councillors agreed unanimously to increase their allowances from next April.

An independent panel reviewed members' allowances and concluded that they were entitled to increases in line with local government officers.

The below inflation rise is the first review since a new system was introduced in September 2001, replacing the old attendance allowance.

The move will cost the council an extra £299,180 a year but, according to council leader Paul Bizzell, whose total allowance goes up from £21,000 to £21,840 a year, the extra allowances will "not bust the bank."

Mr Bizzell, who runs his own computer software and consultancy business, said he spent at least 30 hours a week on council affairs.

Included in Mr Bizzell's new allowance is a pension element of £1,560.

The allowance of his deputy Zoe Patrick will increase by £368 to £9,620.

The increases were recommended by an independent panel of three members.

One of its members, Peter Tothill, of the Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, said the increased allowances were not substantial and were in line with increases awarded to local government officers.