Payment offices will not close because more people are paying bills online, councillors have been told.

Tendring Council predicts it will receive more than £2 million in e-payments in 2006/07 - double the figure for 2005/06.

It wants more people to pay for services via the internet in a bid to cut costs and will continue to develop the service.

A report to the service development and delivery committee revealed e-payments continue to increase while face-to-face cheque and cash payments fall.

Councillors were concerned this would lead to face-to-face payment offices closing throughout the district.