AROUND 30 jobs are to go at one of Pendle's largest engineering firms.

The 250-staff at Fort Vale Engineering, Nelson, were given a letter yesterday outlining their plans for the job losses.

Further details of exact numbers and who will be affected will be revealed on Wednesday.

The firm said 30 people -- 12 per cent of the workforce -- will be made redundant. The long-established company, which makes specialist components for tankers carrying fuel and other materials, has three sites in the Brunswick Street area.

Managing director Ian Wilson today said in the letter to staff: "I am writing to inform you of a further deterioration of our trading position.

"Our core markets remain depressed and this, together with the relative weakness of the Euro, has had a significant effect on orders. The result of this is that we are running with excess capacity and we must now consider a reduction in personnel levels."

No-one was available at the firm to comment further.