MEMBERS of Unison, the public sector union, will lobby Ruth Kelly tomorrow over proposed council budget cuts in Bolton.

The council needs to shave £11.2 million from next year's budget if it is to keep the council-tax increase to four per cent.

But many of the savings bosses have suggested have proved to be controversial.

Unison members have mounted a campaign - Save Our Services - against the proposals, which include job losses for council workers, cuts to services and more charges for the public.

Tomorrow they will gather outside Westhoughton Town Hall, in Market Street, at 4pm to talk to the Bolton-west MP.

Unison spokesman Natalie Mills said: "We are planning to make appointments with her and talk about our concerns, see what she has to say and find out if she is supporting her constituents. We will be handing out flyers outside and will be armed with banners. We need people to be aware of the significant effect job cuts will have on services. It lowers the morale."

Cuts are being made across all service areas, but adult services is likely to be the hardest hit because the department must make savings of £4.7 million. Disabled workers at council-owned Bolmoor Industries, in St Helens Road, Bolton, and Heaton Fold Horticulture Centre, off Chorley New Road, Bolton, could lose their jobs if a £50,000 council subsidy is withdrawn from each company.

Town hall chiefs are also considering proposals to shut down the intermediary care section of Thicketford House, Thicketford Road, Bolton.

It is used for respite care for elderly people while their families take a break, or as a halfway house between hospital and home for pensioners recovering from illnesses. Up to 40 jobs could be lost if the shake-up goes ahead.

Another suggestion to make up the shortfall is to charge for parking at Leverhulme Park, Moses Gate Country Park and Moss Bank Park.

Unison will also lobby councillors at the town hall ahead of the decision on cuts which will be made later this month.