PARK rangers learned that two thirds of their team faced redundancy by a text from their manager.

The under-threat Brighton and Hove City Council team of nine learnt that six of them faced losing their jobs.

UNISON and GMB unions have both made a formal complaint over the “deplorable treatment” of staff and have called for a full investigation.

City council bosses have apologised about the incident and said it was not how the authority wished to communicate sensitive information to staff.

The cuts to the Park Ranger service, which monitor city parks and carry out conservation work, will save the council £175,000.

GMB secretary Mark Turner said: “This is an absolutely deplorable way to treat staff.

“I have heard this happen with a couple of the real barrons of employment in the private sector and now we have a council behaving in this way.

“I have written to the chief executive and lead councillors of all political parties calling for a full investigation.”

UNISON’s Alex Knutsen said: “The text came from their manager but I want to know whether this method was approved by someone more senior.

“They basically were told this was happening and there would be no discussion of this but the these proposals have not even gone to policy and resources yet, let alone agreed by full council.”

Richard Bradley, interim executive environment, development and housing director, said: "I sincerely apologise to the staff concerned for the way this has been handled.

“This is absolutely not how we would wish to communicate with our staff and we will be investigating how the decision to send this text came about and how we can prevent a repeat situation from occurring.

“I will be arranging to meet with staff and their trade union representatives as soon as possible".