Pembrokeshire's port-based businesses are to be hit with backdated rates which the Welsh Assembly Government is imposing, despite being offered the money to write off the debt.

In 2003 the UK Government changed the way ports were rated but the Valuation Office Agency did not review the port properties until May 2006 and rate demands were not issued until September 2008.

As a result port-based companies faced backdated rates demands from 2005 which in many instances amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Now, in spite of the UK Government's decision to remove the demand for the backdated rates in England, the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government is forcing Welsh companies to pay up.

"It seems grossly unfair that English ports have had this backdated charge scrapped, while Pembrokeshire businesses will have to pay up," said South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart.

"The Welsh Assembly Government has chosen not to use the additional money on offer from the UK Government to offset this which seems perverse."

South Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Angela Burns said, "What a daft situation, this doesn't help our local businesses and simply appears to be in line with the Labour/Plaid Government's general disinterest in protecting and helping businesses in Wales.

"Look at the appalling situation so many of our businesses face with regard to the massive hikes in business rates throughout the County.

"During tough times like these we need to support people all we can"