A council boss has been branded a real-life David Brent after he signed off an email about redundancies – by chatting about his holidays and favourite punk rock bands.

Terry Dunn, head of Wigan council’s environment department, wrote to update workers about plans to slash dozens of jobs.

But in an added personal note echoing the comic character played by Ricky Gervais in The Office, he went on to tell miffed workers about his social life.

He discussed plans to go to a punk rock festival and how he was looking forward to a two-week break in the Canary Islands after his wedding.

He told workers: “We are now consulting on the final stage of our restructure and you may or may not be directly impacted... If you are involved I can fully appreciate the concerns you will have and just ask for your patience...”

But after updating staff on other ongoing developments, Mr Dunn added: “On the home front; off to a punk rock festival in Blackpool this Friday. The Damned, Stiff Little Fingers and the Buzzcocks are amongst the acts playing so those old enough may remember them. I am really looking forward to it as it forms a big part of my past.”

He then added: “Wedding 6 weeks this Saturday followed by 2 weeks in Fuerteventura!! Can’t wait.”

The chummy email was received less than enthusiastically by hundreds of staff in Wigan council’s environment department. One worker commented: “The restructure affects everybody. Many job titles have changed and staff have to reapply for their own jobs, if they still have them. So not good times for Wigan employees.”

And a top union boss also labelled the email ‘inappropriate’ and likened it to the efforts of The Office’s TV boss.

Kevan Nelson, Unison’s north west secretary, said: “It is a bit David Brent. He probably meant it well but has underestimated the impact of these changes on his staff.

“I recognise there is a style of management where you don’t want to appear overly-autocratic, but talking about your plans when people’s livelihoods are in the balance is not a good idea.”

Mr Dunn, who joined Wigan Council straight from school in the early 80s, is responsible for waste, roads, and recycling in Greater Manchester’s second-biggest council.

The council, which needs to cut 200 jobs this year to save £18.8m, said the senior manager was responding to staff feedback which called for more ‘personalised’ messages.

A spokesman said: “Terry Dunn has been employed by Wigan Council since he was taken on as an apprentice and has worked at virtually every level of the organisation. He has known many of our staff for 20 years.

“These are tough times in local government. We’re trying to communicate with employees as best we can while we go through difficult changes.

“Terry meant no harm and is sorry if he’s caused offence on this occasion.

“He has an excellent record of handling staffing issues seriously and sensitively.”

And a work colleague told the M.E.N: “Terry is a decent bloke. He is not one of your typical town hall bureaucrats. He worked his way up after starting as an apprentice.

“Probably he should have realised that the tone was totally wrong, but he wouldn't have meant any offence.”