WEST Devon's enviable surroundings could be under threat, if proposed public sector cuts are introduced following the general election, according to borough council leader James McInnes.

He fears that services such as street cleaning and good refuse and recycling will be in serious jeopardy if funding from central government is cut back any further.

Almost 25% of the council's overall net budget is spent on street cleaning, refuse and recycling collections, and cleaning public toilets in the borough.

Cllr McInnes said: 'The public is being asked by many parts of the public sector to support them in calling for their budgets to be protected. For example health, education and defence are all very important areas.

'Yet West Devon residents need also to think about their own environment — the view from their front door.

'We know that the public want clean streets, good refuse and recycling services. They also value, well maintained parks and open space and responsive planning and environmental controls.

'As leader of the council I am very concerned that district councils are increasingly being deprived of funding from Central Government.

'If this trend continues all these services will have to be reduced and the public will see deteriorating neighbourhoods and village scenes.'

Cllr McInnes added: 'I would urge residents to ask all candidates in the forthcoming General Election to state whether they would push for existing investment in these areas to be safeguarded for us all.'