KENT County Council (KCC) is planning to cut 260 jobs from its children’s services department, saving around £8m.

Yesterday, staff at County Hall in Maidstone were told around 160 of them would be made redundant in September, and 100 vacant positions will not be filled.

This is part of a re-organisation of the department, which is responsible for supporting and advising schools, as well as safeguarding vulnerable children.

Councillor Sarah Hohler, cabinet member for children, families and education, said: "We are living in challenging economic times and it is essential we make economies and do things differently to make every penny count.

“Along with every local authority in England, we need to work more effectively with the available resources."

A KCC spokesman said staff and unions will be consulted over the job losses for three months before final decisions are made.