NEWTON Abbot residents could have to pick up the civic grass cutting tab through a hike in taxes if they're to avoid the DIY route and risk 'taking their lives in their hands'.

That was the stark message to come out of a meeting of the town council on Wednesday evening during which both the government and Devon County Council were criticised.

The meeting heard that Teignbridge was unable to take on maintenance of the district's verges following County Hall's decision to reduce services and that a further £7.7 billion was set to be slashed from local authority budgets next year.

A worried Cllr Mike Ryan said: 'Where will it all end? What's the precept increase next year, 15 per cent?'

His colleague Cllr Mike Hocking claimed County Hall had failed to plan for spending cuts even though they had been flagged up by the last Labour Government and again by the coalition.

'It does annoy me that we at the bottom of the list have no option now, other than to take up the slack in the interests of people in our area,' he said.

Cllr Colin Parker, a former insurance services worker, warned residents about offering to become volunteers, an option the county council is considering.

He claimed they could be sued if anything went wrong and wondered who would pay up if anyone was injured.

'You're taking your life in your hands,' he said.

There was anger too that where residents had volunteered, such as in Barnstaple, they were then being charged by county to dispose of the cuttings.

'Disgusted is the word I'd use,' said Cllr Parker.

Cllr David Howe was keen to explore the option of residents getting more involved saying it was a matter of 'civic pride'.

That failed to impress Cllr Chris Coyle-Moore who said: 'Civic pride is led from the top, in this case that's Devon County Council.'

Deputy clerk Sam Scott attempted to cool hot heads by saying: 'We may be able to absorb the costs into the savings we've already made and not put up the precept.'

Members agreed to lobby the county council in a bid to have services restored but to also seek quotes for the job.

Greater public involvement will be looked into in case it's an option residents favour.