Council leaders  across England maintained today that they were trying to protect frontline services despite making huge spending cuts, by targeting areas such as senior management and administration for savings.

Bosses at Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council have pledged their aim is to safeguard key services.

But the two authorities must, between them, find budget savings of nearly £100 million in the next four years.

Their promise to try to protect main services comes on a day when a number of cutbacks, both locally and nationally, come into force.

Elderly bus users in Shropshire today tried to challenge rule changes on concessionary travel which mean bus passes cannot be used before 9.30am.

Today was also the day Shropshire campaigner Jason Green urged people not to fill their tanks in protest at soaring petrol prices. And there were more protests yesterday at Shropshire Council to close a number of schools in the county.

Shropshire Council is looking to make savings of at least £76 million and is moving ahead with radical plans to change the way services are delivered.

Voluntary and community groups together with the towns and parishes are expected to take on a far greater role.

Council leader Keith Barrow said: “We have asked local people what their priorities are.

“We are taking no risks with those activities, but intend to transform the council to work very differently in future.

“We will move our staff closer to the frontline in our market towns, to make them vibrant local hubs of service delivery.”

Victor Brownlees, chief executive of Telford & Wrekin Council said: “With this council having to make £20million of savings following a £13.6 million reduction in government grant, it is inevitable some services will be affected.

“We have minimised any impacts on frontline service through efficiencies, services reviews and our restructuring programme.

“This challenge will continue with Government grants set to be reduced further next year and we will be talking continuously with our residents over the next year about difficult budget choices.”

By Dave Morris