Staff from a school in Sudbury have voted overwhelmingly to strike in order to save their jobs.

The teaching assistants and midday supervisors at Pot Kiln Primary School in Great Cornard, Sudbury, voted 90pc in favour of strikes.

Last month, it was reported that Pot Kiln was looking to lay off up to 15 teaching assistants due to an "unforeseen" budget shortfall of £75,000.

School bosses say student numbers are predicted to fall, while the school has a higher number of TAs than other primaries.

UNISON says that is down to a high number of pupils with special educational needs.

School leaders have since reduced the number they want to make redundant to 10, after a petition backed by 600 people and UNISON spoke out.

UNISON Eastern regional organiser, Winston Dorsett said: "It's not right that Pot Kiln's classroom assistants and midday supervisors should pay the price for the school's poor financial planning.

"These staff play an essential role in children's education and drastically slashing their numbers like this is sure to hit their learning.

"UNISON and parents have managed to reduce the number of job losses, but unfortunately Pot Kiln and Suffolk County Council still want to sack essential staff.

"Pot Kiln workers absolutely don't want to be on strike but they've got no other option if they want to save their jobs and their pupils' education."

Laura Jestico, headteacher at Pot Kiln, released a statement in February, saying they were "seeking a solution to the financial problem the school is facing."

She said: "We are very aware of the negative impact on our staff, and are trying our best to alleviate staff stress and upset as far as possible in this situation."

The school has been approached for comment.