DEVON County Council is planning further £40 million cuts in its annual budget as the government slices funding to the authority.

It has already been forced to trim £54.6 million and county leader, Cllr John Hart, is to tour the county holding Tough Choices consultations with the public,

He said the public could influence the decisions.

But the latest cuts news sparked a row between the Conservative-led county council and the Lib Dems.

County Cllr Alan Connett, former leader of Teignbridge Council, claimed it was nothing more than 'scare story' tactics.

And Newton Abbot councillor Gordon Hook weighed in with similar criticisms.

County deputy leader Cllr John Clatworthy said it was all very well the Lib Dems criticsing, but they had not stated clearly how they would tackle the finances.

Cllr Hart stressed that county was getting 26 per cent less money from the government up to 2014.

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