Breckland residents will be able to question senior councillors about proposals to introduce car parking charges at a series of public meetings in the district's five market towns.

The sessions will ask people to vote on which services the council should cut or charge for as it tries to save an estimated �2.7m by 2016-17.

The meetings, starting in Thetford on Monday, are part of the Could We? Should We? process that could radically re-shape Breckland Council as it tries to manage a one-third cut in government funding, its largest source of income.

Council leader William Nunn said: 'This will affect everyone and Breckland wants to give every resident the opportunity to let us know their views on how the council should be re-shaped. Which services should we protect and which could we stop, reduce or charge for to balance the books?

'Whilst we are continuing to identify and implement internal savings measures, sadly it is inevitable that front-line services to residents will be affected in order to achieve savings of the scale needed.'

The meetings, which will start at 7pm, will take place on Monday September 17 in Thetford Carnegie Rooms, Thursday September 20 in Dereham Memorial Hall, Monday September 24 in Attleborough Town Hall, Wednesday September 26 in Swaffham Assembly Rooms and Tuesday October 2 in Watton Queens Hall.

An online survey will be available from www.breckland.gov.uk from September 17, with paper copies available by calling 01362 656870.