Plans for councils to have more control over business rates could benefit Workington's town centre development, its manager said.

Chancellor George Osborne announced plans this week to give councils reduce business rates and keep the money locally.

At the moment the levy on business premises is set by central government, which gets at least half the money to redistribute across the country.

Dave Fletcher, Washington Square development manager, said giving more power to Allerdale council could benefit the development.

He said business rates in Washington Square were seven times higher than those charged on surrounding streets, because it was considered a new build.

In the past, he added, the issue had caused problems filling it and it is only now on the brink of being full 10 years after opening.

Mr Fletcher said: "I'd hope the change would have a big effect. I'd hope it would level things out.

"If it's set locally the local people will know the local problems."

In the last tax year, just over £26.3 million was collected in national non domestic rates across Allerdale.

Half that money went to central government.

The remainder was shared between local councils, with the majority going to the county council.

An Allerdale council spokesman said: "These proposals are a significant change to the whole business rates system and local government funding, and we are currently awaiting the detail of it.

"Once the implications and opportunities are known then we will be able to comment further."