A MERSEYSIDE council is set to make staff take unpaid leave over the Christmas period by shutting down scores of services.

Cash-strapped Sefton Council will force thousands of workers into taking four days off with no pay.

The ‘Christmas closure’ will see all but critical council services shut down until early in the New Year, including libraries and leisure centres.

Sefton said the move will generate savings of £800,000 towards plugging a £38m budget black hole.

A spokesman confirmed that “most staff” would be required to take unpaid leave on December 23, 28, 29 and 30.

He added: “The savings, which will help to balance this year's budget, are made from staff wages and other running costs over those four days.

“On these dates, services which will continue to run as normal include: waste and recycling collections, security services, gritting (if required) and essential health and social care services for adults and young people.”

Glen Williams, Unison branch secretary, said the union had not formally agreed the decision with the council but reluctantly accepted it as “the lesser of two evils”.

He believed the shut down would minimise the prospect of future job losses.

Mr Williams said: “Originally the council wanted workers to take five unpaid days and two less days of annual leave.

“There was also talk of a 5% across-the-board pay cut.

“Given that context, taking four days unpaid leave over Christmas seems more palatable.”

Sefton Council chief executive Margaret Carney said normal service would resume on January 3.