People in the five Breckland market towns are being given their say on whether car parking charges should be introduced.

The district council is doing a study on the future of car parks and will be holding a public consultation on its ideas for parking and other council services.

The three options for parking are: Continue to provide car parking free of charge

Introduce a tariff that makes the car parks cost neutral

Introduce a tariff that will cover some of the cost

The first of the 'could we, should we?' meetings is at Thetford Carnegie Rooms on Monday September 17, 7pm.

The others are at Dereham Memorial Hall on Thursday September 20, 7pm, Attleborough Town Hall on Monday September 24, 7pm, Swaffham Assembly Rooms on Wednesday September 26, 7pm and Watton's Queens Hall on Tuesday October 2, 7pm.

Breckland cabinet member Mark Kiddle-Morris said: 'These are difficult times for residents and local authorities alike.'

He said Breckland's settlement from central government - which makes up about 70pc of funding - is likely to reduce by 29pc by 2015.

'Because of this we have to make significant changes to the way we operate and to the services we provide. We have made significant savings through internal restructuring and other efficiencies, but there is still a very long way to go. We are proposing to list a number of services that could be changed in order to save money.

'This could be by stopping, reducing or charging for the service. Car parking is likely to be one of the services listed.'