STAFF at privately-run Blakenhurst prison are refusing to co-operate with the Prison Service as it prepares to take over the running of the jail near Bromsgrove.

Approximately 95 per cent of the 280 staff at the Tardebigge jail are members of the Prison Service Union. They voted no confidence in the team responsible for making the change-over arrangements.

In January, the Prison Service announced it had won the bid to run Blakenhurst on a ten-year contract. But union leaders fear 30 to 35 per cent of their members will be downgraded under the new regime and the amount of time prisoners spend out of their cells will be reduced.

Prison Service Union general secretary Phil Hornsby said: "We understand the Prison Service plans to lock inmates in their cells on Saturdays and Sundays from 5pm instead of 9pm and during the week they will eat their meals in their cells."

The service is due to take over the running of the jail from UK Detention Services on August 19.

At a meeting two weeks ago, union members voted to "withdraw co-operation" from the Prison Service when it takes over.

Mr Hornsby added: "There is no-one to take industrial action against at the moment."

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "We understand that the governor and management team are working to resolve any issues of concern."