London, Mar. 26 : The Gloucestershire County Council has been slammed for advertising for a "Recession Support Coordinator" - with a salary of up to 39,999 pounds.

The position is taxpayer-funded position and involves identifying how the recession is affecting the community, reports The Telegraph.

The move has sparked criticism in a county where more than 2,000 people have been made redundant since last October.

The advert for the position, posted on several websites, states: "Recession is making most of us feel the pinch. For some of us, it means losing our job, our home and our health. You can make a difference by working with a wide range of service providers to identify the impacts of recession on local people and agree what action to take."

The advert does not specify whether or not a prospective candidate needs any economic or business-based background or qualifications, but does state: "You will be flexible, organised and able to work with very senior people to negotiate clear actions to support local people."

The role is advertised as a 12-month, fixed-term contract, suitable for "degree-educated" applicants with a full driving licence.

Mark Wallace, campaign director for the TaxPayers'' Alliance, said: "This is a big bill for local taxpayers to have to bear, precisely because we''re in the middle of a recession. The council should be trying to save money and reduce costs so they can cut council tax and help the local economy." (ANI)