A council spokesperson said that salaries have been graded according to the results of a consultation exercise between workers and senior staff but some workers have objected to the way their jobs were evaluated using questions generated by a computer.

The new salary structure, which affects the council's 850-strong workforce, has now been implemented but some of the employees are unhappy with the way their assessments have been carried out.

The new scheme means that if an employee's salary is downgraded as a result of consultation, their pension plan could be seriously affected, as they will not receive a pay rise for five years.

The council said that all employees were interviewed with their line manager and a trade union representative as well as the computerised model being adopted, in accordance with the Government's national job evaluation scheme.

Employees who disagree with their new pay structure have until Thursday next week to lodge an appeal and the schedule for appeal hearings will begin on Monday, February 25.

A spokesman for Vale Royal said: "The whole process has been agreed with our employees through their union representatives and I am unable to comment on any individual cases.

"Any member of staff who feels that their job has not been adequately reflected in the process has the opportunity to access an appeals process with the necessary support of their trade union if they wish."

The job evaluation exercise was to be adopted by all authorities in England and Wales as part of a new scheme called the Green Book.