A DOZEN Hartlepool Borough Council workers have been told their jobs are at risk.

The 12 community wardens received the news at a meeting on Wednesday, when they were told that they would only be employed until next March.

Council chiefs said the town would not lose out and that the money saved would help pay for an extra 21 police community support workers.

One warden, who did not wish to be named, said: "We're all gutted. They have ruined Christmas for us.

"We were called into a meeting on Wednesday about the future of the wardens and 12 of us were told that our contracts would come to an end in March.

"We had no idea it was going to happen. Their timing is disgusting."

The cuts will affect 12 wardens who come under the finances of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

Hartlepool's remaining 12 wardens, funded by the New Deal for Communities scheme, will not be affected.

A council spokesman said: "The 12 wardens are all employed until March 31 next year, and we will be making every effort to secure alternative funding.

"It is important to stress that none of the wardens have been told that they are to lose their jobs, as no final decision has been taken on the numbers to be employed in the future.

"Should there ultimately need to be a reduction in their numbers, we would aim to achieve this through re-deployment and natural wastage."