RSPCA workers are to be balloted today on industrial action over job losses.

The charity, whose headquarters are based at Southwater, near Horsham, is cutting more than 230 jobs as part of a major shake-up to save millions of pounds.

It wants to cut the number of its regional structures from ten to five and replace regional centres with a national control centre run by a private operator.

The union Amicus accused the animal welfare charity of "cruelty" to its staff when the cost-cutting measures were announced in June and said they were not properly consulted.

Amicus Officer Barry Jones said: "People are justifiably angry about the job losses but also the way the charity has gone about making the announcement.

"They feel they have been treated with a real lack of respect."

Amicus members, which include RSPCA inspectors, are being balloted on two separate questions - for strike action or to take action short of a strike.

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: "We will endeavour to make sure at all costs animals do not suffer and our work continues. We will wait to see the result of the ballot and then put a contingency plan in place, depending on the outcome the ballot, to make sure the society runs as efficiently as possible."

The ballot results will be announced on September 4.