SOMERSET County Council members have just voted to approve a £43million package of cuts.

All services provided by the authority will be affected by the measures and around 1,500 jobs will be axed.

The full council meeting at Shire Hall, which ran into this afternoon, heard from leader Cllr Ken Maddock (Con) that the cutbacks were needed to address the county's spiralling debt and a smalled handout from central Government.

But opposition councillors and unions warned the administration were going too fast.

Mr Maddock also said a further £30million of cuts have yet to be announced.

Around 40 protestors waved banners and balloons outside before this morning's meeting.