North Wiltshire District Council is changing the day it takes council tax from residents' bank accounts to raise £50,000 extra income.

The first of the ten monthly instalments for this financial year is due on April 1.

Residents who currently pay on the 15th of each month and think this is a bad April Fool's Day joke are wrong and will have to cancel their direct debit if the 1st is not convenient.

Anyone who pays by direct debit will not have to take action, as the date will be automatically changed from April.

The change will generate an additional income of £50,000 because the council's cash flow will improve.

Further changes are taking place with regard to the council tax discount for second homes and long-term empty homes.

Around £200,000 will be generated for council coffers by reducing the discount awarded to second and long-term empty homes from 50 per cent to just 10 per cent.

Wiltshire County Council will swallow up the majority of this money but the district authority is entitled to £20,000, which it will use to help fund affordable housing schemes and bring more empty properties back into use.

The different ways of paying council tax are shown on the back of the bill and include the council's 24-hour payment line 0845 2750123.

Information can also be found at www.northwilts.gov.uk via the online payment option.

Anyone with queries should call the customer contact centre at the council on 01249 706246.