Councillor Womersley said the authority needed to assess how it could provide services in future years.

BBC: Clackmannanshire Council seeks ?18m of cuts by 2016

Gary Womersley said closing the court would have a detrimental effect on local residents.

BBC: Alloa Sheriff Court

In Belfast, Professor Womersley refuted suggestions from the community that many of the current problems stemmed from bungling of the merger between STFC and CCLRC.

BBC: Astronomers 'must make own case'