Cumbria County Council is considering the move in an effort to stem a shortage of trained staff.

The authority says a package of measures, including enhanced salaries to retain staff already in post, could cost up to �2m.

The council says 97 out of 475 posts in its Children's Services Department are unfilled. The department was recently criticised by the Audit Commission.

A report to be considered by the county council cabinet calls on the authority to pay bonuses for staff prepared to commit themselves to staying with the council.

It says managers should be authorised to offer higher starting salaries and what are described as "market supplements" - effectively extra pay for hard-to-fill posts.

If the measures are approved, existing staff would be offered a 10% incentive at the end of their first year, to stay with the council another 12 months.

The authority says the �2m bill could be financed from salaries already saved in finding staff.