Authority votes to axe 57 posts

Nearly 60 jobs are to go at West Lancashire Borough Council as the authority tries to save £1.5m and balance its books.

The Ormskirk-based authority blamed its financial difficulties on reductions in public sector funding and the recession.

Unions are being consulted on the cuts, which will include both full and part time staff and also vacant positions.

Council leader Ian Grant said he deeply regretted the decision.

'Dire economic situation'

Mr Grant added: "We are an excellent, hard-working council with an outstanding financial track record.

"But the truth is that the current dire economic situation gives us no choice."

Mr Grant said that by taking the "difficult decisions" early, he was confident the council would be in a better position for the future.

"I appreciate the difficulties that this situation causes to the staff who are affected and I assure them that we have looked at all the possible options and have not taken these decisions lightly," he added.