Local authorities in England fear the loss of around 25,000 jobs in the coming years, a survey has found.

The survey by BBC English Regions suggested that almost one in 10 of the workforce in some councils could be vulnerable as authorities are forced to cut back.

It found that of the 49 councils which were prepared to answer questions about possible job cuts, they were estimating losses of 25,000 over the next three to five years, out of a total combined workforce of 256,000.

Eight authorities - Kirklees, Leeds, City of Bradford, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Surrey - said 1,000 or more posts might have to go within five years.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said that councils had been hit by a "perfect storm" and had little choice but to shed jobs.

"Sources of income have dropped sharply at a time when more and more people are turning to councils to help them through tough times," said LGA chairman Dame Margaret Eaton.

"Town halls have been swept by the cold winds of recession for more than a year, and that means difficult choices have to be made. Up and down the country many councils feel they have to take the decision to cut jobs in response."

Shadow communities secretary Caroline Spelman said Labour ministers were responsible for the prospective cuts in town hall funding.

"Unlike Gordon Brown, who has mortgaged Britain to the hilt, local authorities have to balance their books,” Spelman said.

"Town halls are in the unenviable position of having to tighten their belts or increase council tax on struggling families and pensioners. This is a problem of Labour ministers' own making, no matter how much they try to pass the blame."

But communities secretary John Denham insisted that any cuts made by Tory or Liberal Democrat local councils would be based on “local, political choices”.

"The public will rightly be intolerant of councils which cut frontline services like care, libraries or youth services when they have not taken every step to be more efficient."