DORSET day centres for the elderly and people with learning disabilities are facing staff cuts despite a County Hall U-turn on proposed closures.

The recommendation of an influential council committee to scrap plans to close four day centres will not affect plans for staff reductions at others.

Cabinet members at Dorset County Council will vote on staff cuts at centres for elderly people, and for those with learning disabilities on February 4.

Centres for the disabled facing staff cuts are the Juniper in Christchurch and centres in Purbeck and Verwood.

Cllr Peter Hall, the county member for Christchurch, said the Juniper Centre could ill-afford to lose staff.

"To lose three staff is too much. They are already stretched," he said.

Purbeck councillor David Budd said proposals for job losses at the Sandy Lane centre would not benefit users.

"If you're cutting staff you cannot provide the same level of care and attention," he said.

But Cllr Toni Coombs, the county member for Verwood and Three Legged Cross, said the impact of job cuts to the Station Road centre would be "minimal".

"We're talking about one part-time member of staff, and it will probably happen through natural wastage.

Centres for elderly people in Christchurch, Ferndown and Sherborne will also lose staff.

Ferndown councillor John Wilson said he had confidence in the staff who would remain at the Library Road centre.

"The staff there are very efficient and I'm sure they will get round most of the issues this presents," he said.

The county member for Sherborne Rural, Cllr Robin Legg, said staff cuts at The Shielings centre would affect a wide group of people.

"It will affect the wider network of people: families, friends and those of advancing years who will think: How will this affect me in coming years?'" said Cllr Legg.

But ward councillor Don Mildenhall said he believed The Sheilings would overcome the reduction to its staff. "The only possible effect is that it will lose one member of staff. It performs a valuable service and will continue to be much used and appreciated," he said.