A QUARTER of staff at the award-winning Dorset History Centre in Dorchester are facing the sack.

Around six full-time workers at the service could be sacrificed as part of major restructuring to cut costs.

There are also plans to cut opening hours and make further reductions in other areas in the shake-up.

The cuts have been blamed on budget pressures, which mean the service must save £81,500 over the next three years.

The Dorset History Centre is jointly run by the county council, Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Poole.

Last December its archives service was awarded three stars and ranked third out of over 120 local government services nationwide.

But now revised service priorities and spending have been agreed by the councils to deal with the cash pressures. Proposals for the new staffing structure and budget have been presented to employees and the trade union for consultation.

The plans - which could see the current 22.83 full-time equivalent staff slashed to 16.42 - are now being considered by councillors.

A bid to cut opening times and close the centre on Mondays and Tuesdays is also being mulled over.

A Dorset County Council spokeswoman said it is not possible to say exactly how many jobs will be lost.

She said the council would seek to avoid redundancies through redeployment and other measures.

"The proposals give emphasis to providing access to archives and local studies through education, outreach and community-based work and online services," she said.

"They mean more traditional access through the search rooms in the Dorset History Centre and essential support will still be provided, but at a reduced level."

The proposed cuts have been attacked by public service union Unison, who labelled the move a slap in the face'.

County archivist Hugh Jaques said: "The plans do include a proposal to reduce opening hours and it will be a potentially reduced service.

"What we're seeking to do in consultation is to create the best way forward in these difficult circumstances."

A report reflecting the consultation outcome will go before the Joint Archives Advisory Board on April 23.

Councillors will consider the findings and make their recommendations on the proposed cuts to the councils.