Hundreds of teaching staff in Plymouth face losing their jobs.

The education authority has announced that up to a 100 teachers, and twice as many teaching assistants, will lose their jobs in September.

But the city's headteachers have said they will oppose the plans.

The city council has earmarked �113m for education in the coming year.

That means Plymouth schools will face shortfalls of between �30,000 to �180,000.

Children only get one chance Dr Sean Sweeney

Headteachers say the only way to balance the books is to make staff redundant.

At best, that will mean larger class sizes - at worst, schools will be forced to send children home.

Headteachers are asking the city council to impose an 18% rise in council tax, to save teachers' jobs.

Dr Sean Sweeney, chair of the Plymouth Association of Head Teachers and Principals, said: "We are in a desperate position.

"We face having to lose good staff from schools at a time when recruiting staff to schools is enormously difficult."

Spending rules

Many teachers are calling for cash to be switched from projects such as revamping the Tinside Pool on Plymouth's waterfront.

The art deco pool will cost Plymouth council tax payers �250,000 a year in subsidies, according to council figures.

Dr Sweeney said: "Children only get one chance.

"They are our responsibility and if there is any loss of funding, that has a significant impact on them.

Tax decision

"Headteachers will not stand by and watch that happen."

A council spokesman said it was spending according to government spending rules.

Devon County Council is meeting on Tuesday to ratify its decision to increase council tax by 18%.

Plymouth City Council will confirm its budget next week.