A FREE prize draw will be held to reward good council tax payers.

All council tax payers in Kirklees with a zero council tax balance by March 31 will be entered into the draw and the winner will have their council tax bill paid for 2006/2007.

The council's revenues and benefits section is on target to collect the highest amount of council tax ever - more than 96% of the council tax due for 2005/6.

The collection rates have improved over the past two years.

Clr Paul Battye, Cabinet member for administration and business, said: "Our prize draw is intended to say thank you to all those customers who regularly pay their council tax, and to help encourage those who haven't yet paid their outstanding balance, to do so by the end of the year."

Customers can pay their council tax bill online by going to www.kirklees.gov.uk or over the phone by ringing 01484 414818.

Anyone having problems paying their council tax on time can contact the Revenues and Benefits Service on 01484 414900, their local council office or at Civic Centre I, Huddersfield.