NEARLY 300 jobs could go at outsourcing firm Serco's Bolton site, the company has said.

The firm, which employs about 1,000 full and part time staff at its site in Manchester Road, said 190 permanent jobs could be lost.

Bosses said all temporary assignments on the contract will end, with a further 100 temporary staff set to be affected.

Staff have told The Bolton News of their fear of not being able to find another job if they are left unemployed, including two sisters who have worked for the firm for nearly ten years combined.

Serco, which has a contract to manage child maintenance cases on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, said its overall caseload is set to reduce over the next two years.

Its contract was due to end in March 2016 and has been extended until the end of 2017, but its work is set to reduce cases are closed, with customers having to put in place new arrangements for their child maintenance.

Serco said it hopes that those affected will be redeployed, and that potential job losses will be reduced by not filling vacancies.

Staff have been told of the announcement and a formal consultation process is set to be launched in the next few weeks.

The firm said no jobs will be lost before Christmas, and the majority of those affected would not leave until March next year.

Two sisters from Great Lever who both work for Serco contacted The Bolton News after hearing of the news.

Sophia Patell, aged 27, has worked for the firm for six years and Amina Khan, aged 26, has worked there for three years.

Ms Patell said: "I am terrified in case i can't get another job. This is my first job and it was ideal because it was close to home."

Ms Khan added: "I won't be able to live if I lose my job. We heard they were cutting back last year but this has come out of the blue. I had just got used to it and had done all of the training. I don't think it will be easy to get another job."

Garry Robinson, customer services director at Serco, said: “I am incredibly proud of the team in Bolton. It’s thanks to their hard work and dedication that Serco is able to support the DWP for a further 21 months and continue to help separated families with their child maintenance arrangements.

"However, as our overall caseload reduces, we sadly need fewer people to manage the service.

“We will give our full support to those affected over the coming weeks and months.

"We know how important our Bolton office is to the local economy and we will be doing everything we can to secure its long-term future.

"For example, we are working with Bolton Council to mitigate the impact and will continue to pursue new opportunities as they present themselves.”

Bolton Council said it will work with those affected to help them find employment or training.

Cllr Ebrahim Adia, cabinet member for regeneration and resources at Bolton Council, said: “I’m really sorry to hear the news that these job losses will occur, especially at this time of year.

“This will be a difficult time for employees and their families, and we will be doing everything we can to support people through our Team Bolton Partnership to identify any potential job or training opportunities.”