The work is being transferred to India as part of the company's rationalisation plans which were announced earlier this year.

"The work is being offshored because it's clearly cheaper over there," said an RAC spokeswoman.

A 90-day consultation period will now begin with staff to discuss voluntary redundancy and redeployment options.

The RAC says administrative work will be carried out by the call centres in India but anyone with RAC membership who breaks down at the side of the road will still be put through to a UK call centre.

The firm employs 420 staff in its Bristol call centres and 975 in Bristol's RAC Rescue operation.