SOUTHAMPTON council leaders are considering massive cutbacks to stop the council sinking millions of pounds into debt, the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal.

Secret papers seen by the Echo reveal the Labour executive has drawn up a list of possible spending cuts that could see £12m slashed from spending on education and social services alone over the next three years.

All council services face major cuts as councillors battle to keep the council tax rise as low as possible ahead of the local elections in May. But city council leader June Bridle stressed: "Our budget blueprint is in its early stages and it would be wrong to say we are committed to slashing expenditure across the board. All possibilities are being examined."

Leaked figures show the Labour group's initial proposals to balance the books.

Early indications show that despite last year's massive 10.94 per cent rise - taking Band D properties to £772.86 - council tax bills could rise by at least a further five per cent.

Confidential estimates show the council is set to be £1.2m in the red this year and faces debts of £3m next year unless drastic action is taken. To balance the books, executive members are planning major cutbacks in their portfolio areas. The reductions in services such as social services and education are especially high because they must take into account projected overspends.

Some of the most alarming proposed cuts will affect some of the city's most vulnerable residents

***Full details of the proposed cuts will be revealed exclusively in tonight's Southern Daily Echo, with extensive listings of exactly where and how the axe will fall. Read in-depth analysis of what the proposed cuts will mean for city residents and how you will be affected.***