Senior management jobs at Eastbourne Borough Council are to be axed under radical measures to save £120,000 during the next five years.

Plans to streamline the council's management framework will happen by next April.

Authority leaders said cutting staff would be tough but that it was the only option left after efforts to make savings by trimming budgets.

Poor Government grants which last year played a part in residents being hit with a 38 per cent council tax rise are being partly blamed for the need to cut jobs.

At the heart of the review document are plans to reduce the number of departments and revamp more than 20 separate service divisions.

One proposal is for the tourism department, headed by retiring director Ron Cussons, to merge with regeneration.

During a special Cabinet meeting, councillors agreed to consult staff on the far-reaching review of the senior management structure.

Liberal Democrat council leader Beryl Healy said: "It is no secret we have a huge financial challenge facing us.

"This can only be overcome through prudent and careful analysis of all we currently do.

"The changes in the management structure will mean a reduction in staff but I hope these can be secured in the most sympathetic way.

"Unfortunately, we can no longer make significant savings by shaving small amounts from across the board.

"Our only option now is to take the tough decisions that regrettably affect our most valuable asset, staff."

Earlier this year, the council leafleted residents asking them to suggest ways of making budget savings.

One idea was to cut the amount of money spent on promoting tourism but that was met with disapproval as tourism accounts for 75.5 per cent of employment in Eastbourne.

Coun Healy said: "The council has put forward priorities, which are supported by the public response to our consultation."

Consultation with staff will now take place on the review of senior management.

The Cabinet will look at the comments received at their next meeting on December 18.