GARY Pattison, Dorset branch secretary for the GMB union, said: “The Fit for the Future programme sought to make a fraction of the savings we are talking about now and we were very lucky that there were very few compulsory redundancies. We managed to get people redeployed but I can’t see that happening this time.

“I understand that £14million of the savings identified are classed as difficult to achieve, which is worrying.”

Mr Pattison said it was impossible to say how many jobs will go.

He added: “The report gives us an outline of the savings and it needs to be fleshed out over the summer. The job losses will be substantial – I’d say hundreds will be affected.”

He said beyond cuts to services and jobs the proposals have wider implications for Dorset.

Mr Pattison said: “Dorchester is effectively a public sector town. If you start hacking away at the public sector that will have a major effect on the local economy.”

Dorset branch secretary for Unite Paul Kimber said: “This will have a dramatic effect on the services we offer people.

“When people voted in the last General Election I don’t think they voted for this. These are draconian cuts that will affect people’s lives and target the most vulnerable in society.

“There have been some big campaigns to save services in the past and we need to ask the Government to think again about making cuts.

“I’m appalled it’s come to this.”

The South West regional organiser for Unison, Alan Martin, said it was disheartening that public sector workers were being forced to bear the brunt of irresponsible financial trading nationally.

“We will of course want to work with Dorset County Council to fully understand their financial difficulties,” said Mr Martin.