AN aerospace worker at BAE SYSTEMS fears he could be out of a job before Christmas if the company presses ahead with plans to sell off a part of the company.

Roland Entwistle, 44, says a cloud is hanging over his future at the firm's Samlesbury plant where he has been employed as an engineer for 24 years.

With a wife and 11-year-old daughter to support, Roland believes the company has let workers down and is keeping them hanging in the balance while talks about possible job cuts take place.

Now Roland wants BAE SYSTEMS bosses to come clean and tell workers if their jobs are secure.

Roland, who works in number two shed in Aerostructures, said: "Christmas is coming and there's a cloud hanging over my future. There aren't many places to get work. I've given my life to this company."

According to Roland, a shop steward for workers' union Amicus, employees were told two years ago that unless costs were slashed on an Airbus deal the company would be forced to lay off staff.

Roland, from Darwen, said: "We've worked hard to get costs down and we've nearly reached our target. We've jumped through hoops, but it's not made any difference."

The workers' fears follow a union meeting last week where it was revealed BAE SYSTEMS bosses believed Aerostructures was no longer a 'core business' and could possibly be sold off.

Union bosses have now requested urgent meetings with management. Neil Sheehan, convenor for the joint shop stewards at Samlesbury representing different unions at the plant, said: "We are seeking urgent meetings at national level with the company and we have also got a meeting this coming Friday with the director of Aerostructures.

"We're very concerned. We need to see what comes from the meeting before we decide what we'll be doing."

Richard Colthart, spokesman for BAE SYSTEMS, said: "We're not saying there will be any job losses. All we are saying at present is Aerostructures may have a better future under new ownership. We do not throw away a business that's doing $250 million turnover."

BAE SYSTEMS in Samlesbury employs around 4,000 workers. Aerostructures have around 400 staff who build non-electronic sections of aircraft, mainly the Airbus.