Blaenau Gwent chief executive Robin Morrison is to leave his job as part of an ongoing review to cut senior management costs.

Mr Morrison who lives in Crickhowell will leave the authority at the end of March following a council meeting which agreed to "mutually terminate his contract".

His departure means a reduction in the corporate management team from to four, and a possible saving of £315,000 over five years.

Resources director David Waggett has been appointed interim chief executive - a role he will carry out until after the 2012 local authority elections.

The authority has an agreed policy where consideration can be given to the mutual termination of a contract of employment "in the interests of the efficiency of the service".

Mr Morrison will have immediate access to his accrued pension benefits, but no redundancy or pension enhancements.

The council said that added to savings already made through the ongoing review of senior management, close to £1.5m savings will be made over the next five years.

Council leader Councillor Des Hillman said the authority was facing "unprecedented budget cuts" and would continue to review the structure of senior management to identify and make savings".

He added that Mr Morrison had "served the authority well during his time here" and wished him all the very best for the future".