London: The Guardian is to cut 250 jobs as it seeks to stem heavy losses, raising the threat of its first-ever compulsory redundancies.

The UK publisher told staff there was "urgent need for radical action" as it announced 100 journalists and 150 other staff will lose their jobs.

In total the Guardian will seek to reduce its staff by 310, as 60 vacant roles will not be filled. The redundancies in editorial account for about a seventh of its UK newsroom.

Kath Viner, editor of the Guardian, and David Pemsel, chief executive of Guardian Media Group, said they would aim to rely on volunteers to make the savings required, but warned they could not rule out compulsory redundancies.