WIRRAL Council has unveiled sweeping cuts totalling £49m – hitting every aspect of its services.

The move is part of the authority’s attempt to deal with a massive budget deficit next year.

The options unveiled by chief executive Graham Burgess today include axing eight of the 16 childrens’ centres based at primary schools – unless schools take them over – and ending lollipop crossing patrols, unless schools pay for them.

He also warned there will be "several hundred" redundancies from the authority  and this weekend around 3,000 staff will be sent letters saying their jobs are at risk.

Two out of three respite homes face closure, day care centres could go to save £2m and charges for social care like  meals on wheels could go up.

Other options are increasing all car parking charges to the level paid in Birkenhead, bringing in charges for garden waste collection and ending the apprentice programme.

Street cleaning would be reduced under the options being put forward along with less street lighting and highways maintenance.

Parks and opens spaces including beaches would not be maintained unless friends groups take over their care.

The options were unveiled following  a massive consultation process in which the public were asked to identify their priorities in council services.

Mr Burgess offered £10m more cuts than needed with further consultation to follow to  allow the public and councillors to choose.

However, he accepted the choices are still unpalatable.