KENNET District Council says it is unlikely to replace animal welfare officer Brian Champion in the short term.

Mr Champion retired on Friday after 11 years in the post.

His job has involved rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals and encouraging responsible pet ownership.

His work is now being done by a pest control officer from the environmental services department.

At his leaving party on Friday, senior officers applauded Mr Champion as a loyal and successful member of staff who will be sorely missed.

But until restructuring of the environmental health department is completed, his job will not be advertised.

Kennet District Council is experiencing serious financial problems at the present time, caused by the poor performance of the Stock Market, lower than expected Government grant, and escalating staff costs.

A report by chief executive Mark Boden and director of resources Frank Marshall to the upcoming meeting of the resources policy committee on September 24 reminds councillors that the council only managed to balance its budget in the current financial year by digging into its reserves to the tune of £323,000.

The replacement of staff is being delayed until target savings of £150,000 have been achieved.

Next year could be even worse, the two senior officers have warned, because of uncertainty over Government support.

Cuts in rural bus subsidies and the freezing of grants to the Citizens Advice Bureau, Voluntary Action Kennet and the Care And Repair Service are among economies being considered by a special sub-committee.

A spokesman for the council said: "Local residents should go on reporting animal welfare issues to us.

"They will be dealt with and shared among our other officers."