This follows the launch of a public consultation by the council, who are seeking to save £20 milion over the next four years. The public are being urged to give their views on the proposals before December 5.

Following an article in the 'Gazette' last week which outlined the scale of the cuts, people in the town have given their reaction to the proposals.

They have attacked plans to close the Tolbooth and Nelson's Tower, and voiced fears that the closure of public toilets may follow.

If approved by councillors, the proposals would see archives moved out of the Tolbooth, and the council no longer using the building. Nelson's Tower would also be closed to visitors.

Jobs could go at the library, with the introduction of self-service machines, the swimming pool will not be open in the morning, and mobile library services are set to be withdrawn by 2012.

'The Forres Gazette' also understands that there are plans to close the town's remaining public toilets.

Across Moray, the cuts would also see an end to free bread and milk for schoolchildren, whole fruit replacing sliced fruit for P1 and P2 pupils, and an end to morning swimming lessons.

Community groups in Forres have accused the council of not giving them enough time or information to comment as part of a public consultation process.

Some community council members are also concerned that parking charges will be introduced to Forres in a bid to generate extra revenue.

They have urged people to make their views known about the proposals, which were put forward in a consultation document published on November 5.

Community council chairman, John Bremner, gave his reaction to the proposals.

"People in Forres are trying to attract tourists to the town, and they are cutting them off," he said.

Other local residents joined in the criticism. "Acts like that are deathly to the town," said Robbie Sutherland, proprietor of the Red Lion pub on Tolbooth Street. "The archives should be here in the town, and the Tolbooth should be used," he said. "People should be able to look around it by appointment."

Mr Sutherland said that closing the Tolbooth would be more bad news for the High Street, where Victoria Wine has recently announced it is to close, making it the third shop to leave the street this year.

"It's all charity shops, hairdressers and tanning salons; gone are the days of a proper high street," he said.

Ian Steele agreed, adding that "Forres is becoming a ghost town".

Two women were critical of the potential closure of the public toilets.

"It would be quite inconvenient for children and mums," said Trisha Nicholson, while Joyce Hutchinson added that they were kept extremely clean, which meant that they continue to be well used.

Forres Community Council vice-chairman Bob Hellyer and secretary Colin Lipscomb said that the Tolbooth was a facility that could be utilised by the community as a youth café or community centre.

They also criticised Moray Council for not providing enough information to enable the community council to offer suggestions during the consultation process.

"We do not know what money is being spent in Forres, so how are we supposed to help them make savings?" said Mr Hellyer.

Vice-chairman of Forres Community Council, Bob Hellyer, is urging people to make their views known to a public consultation.

Mr Bremner said: "We haven't had much contact with Moray Council at all."

Mr Hellyer is also concerned that car parking charges could be introduced to Forres in future budgets. He said that charges are to be introduced on common good land in Elgin, and this could set a precedent for introducing them in Forres.

Moray Council hosted a briefing in Forres last night (Tuesday) on the proposals, which was aimed at the community groups invited to take part in the consultation process, but was also open to the general public.

"Most people are in the early stages of mild shock," said Carin Schwartz, president of the area forum.

Mrs Schwartz urged people in Forres to get involved and let the council know their feelings.

"As the chair of the area forum, I am working very hard for community involvement," she said. "We might not be able to solve this issue overnight, but if we work together, things can get better," she said.

Moray Councillor Jeff Hamilton echoed the calls for people to get involved and provide feedback.

"It's why we are going out to consultation; we want to hear public views," he said. "We have gone out with the proposals, and we want public feedback on them."

He added that the council would listen to alternative suggestions for budget savings.

"We have got to save £20 million, and the proposals will do this. If people feel that other ideas can save us money, we will sit down and listen to them."

He said that if community groups wanted a detailed breakdown of spending in Forres, they should ask Moray Council for the information.

"I think we have been very open and honest," he said.

Fellow Forres councillor Irene Ogilvie said: "There will be tough times, and some decisions have to be made that people probably won't be happy with."

She echoed the claim that detailed budget information can be obtained from the council. She added that people in Forres should take the opportunity to air their views as part of the consultation.

"This is not just a one-off; this is going to happen for the next three to four years. People need to have their say, and this consulation is one of the positive things to come out of the budget savings proposals."

Forres councillor Iain Young said that it was a hard fact that savings have to be made, which meant some tough decisions.

"The chief financial officer has been saying for years that we need to save money," he said. "Nobody has listened."

All responses to the proposals must be received by December 5. A copy of the consultation documents and the response form can be downloaded at: www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_61289.html

Views can also be sent to the 'Gazette' at newsdesk@forres-gazette.co.uk

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