UNIONS are calling for talks with the Government and BAe systems after the aerospace giant announced more than 1,000 jobs would be axed in Lancashire.

The firm, one of the Fylde's biggest employers, will cut jobs at its plants at Warton and Samlesbury, near Blackburn, in the next two years, with some compulsory redundancies likely.

The Transport and General Workers Union said that each of the job losses represents a 'personal disaster' for the member of staff concerned and warned of the effects on local communities.

John Rowse, the union's national secretary, said: "Each of those 1,000 jobs represents a personal crisis, but there are wider strategic issues raised by a feeling we're dealing with job cuts one moment, recruitment the next.

"How can the company and the industry attract the quality people it needs for a sustainable future with that erratic record?

"It is high time the government, as one of the industry's largest customers, the industry and BAE entered into a meaningful discussion with the trade unions so we're planning growth not managing cuts in a 21st century industry."

The union's regional organiser for the North West, Brian Dawson, added: "We will obviously do all we can for our members at Warton and Samlesbury who are affected making sure we avoid compulsory job losses.

"From a North West perspective we must ensure that a company of the size and influence of BAE has a coherent strategy for manufacturing as so much depends on the jobs and support services that go with them."

The workers affected are employed in the air systems division, working on military aircraft such as the Joint Strike Fighter, Hawk, Typhoon Nimrod.

Management say that the cuts are 'the only way to ensure a viable future for the business' and say employees have been briefed for the last six months to expect large-scale job losses.