Aberdeen University staff could face redundancy as its medical school tries to slash £1.5m from its budget.

A scheme encouraging staff to retire or take voluntary severance has so far only saved £110,000 and ends on September 30.

The university, which has already made £8.6m worth of cuts towards its £10.5m target, has now taken the first steps towards making compulsory redundancies.

A spokesman said: "The voluntary severance and early retirement scheme currently in place at the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition remains open until September 30.

"We have informed staff in the school that the university has commenced a consultation process through the joint consultative committee on redundancy avoidance with regard to criteria for compulsory redundancy due to the current progress of the scheme.

"We appreciate this situation may be unsettling for colleagues within the school but we will continue to keep staff updated and support is in place for those with any questions."