HUNDREDS of jobs are to be axed as part of plans for £18m cuts to services for children across Hampshire.

Under the cutbacks 28 Sure Start centres – which support some of the most vulnerable families in the county – are to be shut.

Also likely to be hit are some schools transport schemes and services giving careers advice to teenagers.

Under the proposals to be discussed by county council chiefs tomorrow, 338 full time jobs are to go. County chiefs estimate the bill for redundancy and early retirement could be as high as £10m, including pension costs.

The cuts are part of the county council’s bid to save £55m and slash 1,200 jobs by next year, revealed by the Daily Echo last week.

But details of where the axe will fall are now starting to emerge and among them are services for children. That includes cutting the number of Sure Start children’s centres from 81 to 53 which will save a third of the £18m target.

The authority wants to merge some centres – which provide support and services to families with children aged under five, including youngsters with special needs – and allow them to be run by private or voluntary groups.

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