A TOTAL of more than 2,000 people will lose their public sector jobs in Blackburn and Darwen in the latest round of cuts, it is feared.

Coun Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said she had ‘major fears’ for the sector.

And she said that the numbers of jobs set to be lost would double the 1,000 announced by the borough council yesterday.

Coun Hollern said East Lancashire was being hit disproportionately to other parts of the country.

She said: “At the council we have been hit very hard but it is not just council workers.

"The job losses in the sector could double what has happened at the council.

“The major concern is that the multiple impact of cuts to council and police, health and education, would have a significant negative effect.

“With the council’s cuts to neighbourhood budgets it would be likely to put additional pressure on the police; cuts in adult social care will put additional pressure on health; and other public sector cuts will have similar cross-service consequences.”

Coun Hollern is also the chair of the Local Public Service Board for Blackburn with Darwen.

She has now written to the two MPs for the area, Jack Straw and Jake Berry demanding support.

She said: “I am concerned that positive performance of the local economy over the last 10 years masks structural inequalities in our communities with high levels of deprivation, poor housing, low levels of workforce skills; significant problems in relation to local transport for older people, low incomes and high levels of worklessness.”