Unions have warned council services in Plymouth will suffer if overtime pay is cut.

Staff were told on Friday about the proposals which could affect around five thousand workers.

It means refuse workers and those contracted to work more than 37 hours a week would no longer be paid overtime rates for these extra hours.

Likewise, additional overtime would be paid at time and a quarter instead of double time or time and a half.

500 posts are still at risk and unions are to be balloted this week on the proposals.

Unions say it could mean a twenty per cent cut in take home pay for some.