PROTESTERS fear proposed cuts will destroy Dudley's youth services, wielding a "shattering blow to young people".

The cash-strapped council insists there are no plans to close youth centres but sessions will be slashed by almost half, down from 123 to 60 as part of a £200,000 round of savings.

About 50 per cent of the part-time workforce will be axed, with team leaders and detached youth workers facing the chop.

Sixty members of Unison and Unite lined the steps of Dudley Council House on Friday to voice their dismay, claiming the redundancies will sound the death knell for the borough's youth services.

Demonstrators called for the council to rethink the proposed changes but children's services boss Councillor Tim Crumpton said reductions in budgets left no alternative.

He said lack of funding meant the council had reached a stage where it must look at delivering services differently and is looking to work closely with the voluntary sector and community groups to run additional youth centre sessions.

Cllr Crumpton said: "The proposed changes to the staffing structure, which are currently out to consultation with the staff, will not affect young people accessing good, quality services as the proposed model is based on harnessing the potential of the voluntary and community sector by working closer with them to deliver more services.

“The youth service currently employs around 100 members of staff and the proposals would create savings of £200,000, the equivalent to six full time jobs.

"It is horrible and I apologise for any distress caused but I can assure young people and parents that providing good quality youth work remains at the heart of our plans, regardless of who is delivering the service.”

Unite national officer Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe said the union, which represents the majority of Dudley’s youth workers, has called for urgent talks to prevent the "total destruction" of the youth services.

He said: “If you remove these workers from this service, there will be no youth centres. Thousands of young people will be left with nowhere to go once the youth centres shut. Dudley’s young people are being made scapegoats for an economic crisis not of their making Steve Beardsmore, branch secretary for Dudley Unison, said staff were feeling demoralised and added: "Voluntary groups have their place but they shouldn't be used to replace permanent professional staff."