Cheshire East, Halton, Trafford and Wirral councils are deemed to require additional financial help.

The number requesting relaxed rules is the latest sign of fragile local government finances.

The local authority is one of 30 across the country to be given extra support by the government.

Ministers announce contributions which had been in doubt during a review of spending.

A council leader says his authority has told the government it would consider taking on a new town.

It comes after more than 100 sites put themselves forward for consideration by a government taskforce.

Council tax bills are set to rise for millions of households in England, Scotland and Wales in April.

Families tell BBC their mould-infested homes are making them ill - Panorama investigates.