UNION bosses spoke of their fury last night after the RAC sacked more than 1,700 workers - including hundreds in the North-East - as part of an £80m cost-cutting plan.

The breakdown group's new parent company Aviva, which also owns insurance company Norwich Union, said the savings would help pay for the £1.1bn RAC takeover.

In the North-East, 215 posts are being axed at the RAC insurance centre in Darlington.

The customer service insurance posts in the town will be transferred to sites in Norwich and Bristol.

The losses in Darlington form part of the overall plan, with the jobs in the town due to go by April next year. A further 120 posts are being cut at a site in Morecambe.

Officials at the Amicus union branded the announcement a disgrace and intend to consult staff before giving their response to Aviva.

Amicus regional officer Gerry Hunter said: "My union has recognition there, and what is happening is absolutely outrageous.

"The Norwich Union adverts say 'quote me happy' - 215 jobs going down the pan in Darlington is not making anyone happy."

National secretary David Fleming said he was "extremely disappointed by the cavalier approach of Norwich Union" towards its staff.

Workers at the Darlington site were given the news by bosses at a meeting yesterday morning.

They said they had been informed of a business review taking place six weeks ago, which culminated in yesterday's announcement.

One employee said: "Nobody can carry out a review of an entire company this large in just six weeks.

"They have had this organised since last year.

"The way they go about their business is absolutely disgusting and it's the loyal staff who are always last to know what's going on.

"This is 1,700 people's lives they are changing."

Aviva expects the merger of operations, as part of the restructuring, to generate £80m a year by next year.