WORKERS were today calculating the financial and emotional cost of yesterday's jobs bombshell.

Employees on BAE's four major plane programmes - Eurofighter Typhoon, the Joint Strike Fighter, Hawk and Nimrod - have been devastated by the job losses, blamed on a downturn in business.

The loss of 1,000 jobs at the group's Warton and Samlesbury plants comes a week after the company axed 760 from its shipyard in Barrow

After 25 years service John Ashcroft, 45, believes his job in engineering at the Samlesbury site in Preston New Road is now under threat.

Six months ago he took on a £60,000 mortgage over 20 years for a property in Caltha Drive, Lower Darwen, on top of maintenance payments for his two daughters, aged 13 and 15. He said the future was bleak.

"It is really the last thing you want," he said. "There has been a nervous feeling for a while.

"I took out the usual mortgage protection but you never know quite how it will work so it is a tense time.

"Last year there was unlimited overtime, this year the jobs are going. It is a rollercoaster industry."

Ian Leeming, 50, of Fulwood, has worked at the site for 19 years as has his wife for 15 years.

He said he would lose his house if both were to lose their jobs and a planned holiday to Turkey in July would have to be put on hold.

Mr Leeming, a representative of the Amicus union, blamed the government for abandoning the manufacturing and engineering sector.

He said: "Morale is very low. It has been for quite a while.

"The cuts should have been handled more effectively. We have been relying on rumour and speculation for so long. Voluntary redundancy is just not an option for me.

"I feel let down and betrayed. I don't think this is going to be the end. The government have to start listening and do something to save the aerospace industry and for the people of Lancashire.

"All our suppliers will be effected by this. It is bad for this country that we can't make anything any more that competes. The whole sector is being left to decline.

"We have been lobbying for more than 12 months. The government has got to do something for the people of this country."

Steve Watling, 53, of Lostock Hall, works in fabrication. He said: "One of my two sons works here and I am very worried for him. Working for BAE used to be a job for life - something that would be carried on from generation to generation but not any more.

"A lot of these lads have dedicated their working lives and now they are on the scrap heap.

"BAE Systems used to be the giant and it is a shame to see that crumble."

Tom Lovett, 49, of Preston, a metal worker for 25 years, said the cuts will dent his pride.

"We have become used to saying goodbye to long standing work colleagues but it is sickening to think it could be any of us. We all have mortgages, financial commitments and families."

But James Fletcher, a BAE engineer for 27 years, is pleased at the age of 55 to be taking a voluntary redundancy package. He said it was the best thing for him to do to avoid a fellow worker facing compulsory redundancy.

"If I take voluntary redundancy it will give someone else the chance to stay," he said. "For me the circumstances are right, I am rejoicing there is a life outside work. But the mood in general is very low.

"The company has recruited a lot over the last four years and people have built their lives around their income. It was getting to the stage of wondering on Friday if your job would be there on Monday or if you could commit to a mortgage or holiday.

"Everyone has felt it coming. We knew the hammer would fall. Redundancies are never good news.

"I have seen the industry change. It used to be so laid back but now it is very competitive. It is a cut throat market."