Residents have told council bosses where service cuts should be made over the next four years.

Leicestershire County Council leafleted thousands of households as part of a consultation process about its plans to save £70m.

Nearly 2,000 people responded – many suggesting savings in areas such as school transport, museums, libraries, public transport subsidies and grass cutting.

The results were met with disappointment by some of those linked to areas singled out.

The council said it would consider the public's suggestions before publishing its budget early in the new year.

The consultation came after the council announced it needed to slash its budget by 25% over four years.

The Conservative-run administration said £40m of this would be found through making things run more efficiently, but the rest would come from service reductions.

Their calculations are based on an election promise not to increase council tax.

Council leader Councillor David Parsons said: "We have gone out and genuinely involved people in identifying where there is scope for the council to make savings.

"When we produce our spending proposals we will take into account the main points that the public has raised."

Oadby author Bali Rai said library cuts would be a crying shame.

He said: "What people fail to understand is these things are vitally important, not just because of the books but because of free internet access and other services."

Libraries cost £8m a year, while museums and arts cost £3m.

Kevin Ryan, director of independent charity Charnwood Arts, in Loughborough, said: "What people don't realise is museums are usually very efficiently run and have a great impact on a community."

Last year County Hall promised to spend an extra £300,000 on grass cutting in 2009 after residents complained roadside verges and footpaths were overgrown. In parts of the county, including Ellistown, near Coalville, residents chopped grass themselves.

Now it seems the public want to reduce the £2m grass cutting budget.

Ellistown parish councillor Alan Gamble said: "I'd rather the council didn't spend money on an incinerator instead."

A total of 1,828 Leicestershire people responded to the consultation, 1,158 by post, 593 online and 77 at three workshops.

More than 6,000 questionnaires containing 24 questions were sent out.

The questionnaires also included blank boxes for people to suggest further cuts.

Asked whether the council should increase council tax above 2.5%, 76% of people who completed the postal questionnaire and 52% of those who completed the questions online said no.

The council's cabinet is due to discuss its draft budget on January 12. The final decision is due to be taken on February 24.

A more detailed analysis is being produced and will be available in the new year.