Bradford's shire horses Noble, Henry, Angus and Murdoch look set for a January pay rise.

Council chiefs, who hire out the animals to public events across the district, are hoping to raise the fee they charge by ten per cent.

The horses currently bring in £210 for each private event such as a fair but under the new proposals that will go up to £231.

Tomorrow the Council's ruling executive will be asked to approve the price hike along with dozens of other fees in its department of arts, heritage and leisure.

Swimming charges will rise by around seven per cent - by 20p for adults and 10p for children - although all passport to leisure swimming charges will remain at this year's prices. Community hall charges will also rise by ten per cent with the cost of sports pitches going up by seven per cent.

City Hall accountants blame the increases in costs on the rising price of the fuel needed to provide heat and light.

They say utility prices have gone up by 20 per cent, and could add up to £100,000 to the operating costs of the sports and leisure service next year.

Library charges for late returns, book orders and video, DVD and computer game loans will remain the same as this year.

But an area which will see price increases is the cost of cemeteries and crematoria which are proposing an 11 per cent price rise.

The changes will take the cost of an adult cremation up by £34.50 to £343, and a burial up by £47 to £477.

Measures required by the Government aimed at tackling the pollution caused by the cremation process are blamed, though the authority maintains its is the cheapest service in West Yorkshire.

Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration and culture, Councillor Simon Cooke, said: "Some of the charges have gone up by inflation, some have gone up more and some not at all.

"As for our shire horses, they are very popular and are turning up to more events so it is only right we charge for them. They are big young horses and take a lot of looking after!"

The names of Bradford's newest shire horses Angus and Murdoch were chosen after a Telegraph & Argus competition earlier this year.

If the Council's executive approves the increases they will come into force on January 1.