FURIOUS council workers invaded the civic centre in Southampton today in protest at sweeping cuts to pay and services by the ruling Conservatives.

Binmen were among those who got into the building and hammered on the doors of the council chamber where councillors were discussing the controversial budget.

Activists were removed from the public gallery on the orders of the Labour mayor for constantly heckling and jeering finance chief Cllr Jeremy Moulton as he tried to speak.

The budget was later passed behind closed doors.

Council staff will be forced to accept pay cuts of up to 5.5 per cent to help balance a £25m budget black hole. Up to 250 jobs, including 40 senior managers, will also be axed.

Burial costs will rise, council rents will be hiked, public toilets and day centres will be shut and more city bus services face the axe.

Older people and the disabled will be among those most affected. The adult social care budget will be slashed by £3.2m and many charity contracts will be terminated.

Council chiefs warned that 400 more jobs would have to go without the cuts, but if union members fail to accept them, as expected when the result of a ballot is announced next week, workers will instead be dismissed and re-hired on worse contracts.

Leader Cllr Royston Smith insisted the highest wage earners would be hit hardest. Those on less than £17,000 will get an extra £250.

He added: “We will keep libraries, leisure centres and weekly bin collections. We will increase the money we spend on fixing roads and pavements, recruit more social workers to protect our children.”

Under the £191m spending plans, council tax will be frozen for the first time at and pensioners will continue to get a ten per cent discount.