A SLIP on wet stairs, a fall from play equipment, a trip over a paving stone and damage caused by potholes are some of the claims that have cost Wokingham tax payers nearly £74,000 in two years.

A total of 34 claims were paid out between 2013 and 2015 with two of the most common cases being damage caused by council-owned trees or pot holes in the road.

In 2013-14 Wokingham Borough Council forked out a total of £34,848 in 18 successful claims, eight caused by potholes.

The council paid out on 19 claims the following year including one for damages after confidential information was accidentally disclosed and 10 cases of damage by vegetation.

Payouts in 2014-15 totalled £39,128 pushing the total over two years up to £73,976.

The figures came to light in a series of Freedom of Information requests by the Taxpayer's Alliance.

The same figures show Bracknell Forest Council forked out £30,000 in a single compensation claim after a resident fell through a rotten walkway in 2014. 

Bracknell's council has paid out nearly £40,000 since 2013.

Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "The compensation culture is costing taxpayers dear and every pound spent on settlements or higher insurance premiums is a pound that isn't spent on essential services such as road maintenance or social care.

“Of course, some of the payments made by councils will be entirely justified, as the most serious accidents can change lives.

"But in many cases, local authorities and their staff will be failing to live up to the standards required of them by law or paying out on frivolous claims too easily."