JOB seekers in Burnham will soon lose a valuable service in the town after the Government announced the Job Centre will close.

JOB seekers in Burnham will soon lose a valuable service in the town after the Government announced the Job Centre will close.

The part time offices in High Street will shut, despite a 600-signature petition against the plans being handed to job centre bosses, when the news was first announced in June.

Now the Department for Work and Pensions has said it is finalising the plans for an alternative service in the area.

Employment minister Caroline Flint said: "Where offices are closing we are working with local authorities and other organisations to ensure those services remain in the community, for example in libraries or community centres."

But now Somerset County Council has hit out at the closure.

Council leader Jill Shortland said: "The Governments decision shows a lack of understanding of the economic and social realities of life in Somerset.

"Any savings must be offset against additional costs to the public purse.

"While we are working with Job Centre Plus in Burnham to look at alternative provision, we remain deeply concerned about the implications of this decision.