ALMOST a quarter of the workforce at a steel distribution centre is to be axed.

Corus, which was formerly British Steel, is making 28 staff redundant at its Blackburn service centre site.

"These changes, which are being made in the face of difficult market conditions, are necessary to maintain the Blackburn's site's position as the leading service centre in the North West," said Lisa Benbow of Corus.

The firm said its Blackburn site, which employs 123, had been the subject of a multi-million investment in recent years to improve its operations and was now one of the largest and most efficient in the county.

Consultation has now begun with employees and trade unions and a counselling programme has started.

The job losses at the Blackburn site, which used to be known as Walkersteel, are part of a nationwide restructuring within the company. In February Fokko van Duyne, joint chief executive of Corus, warned that jobs may have to go at its UK sites because of the strength of the pound.

Corus was formed last year through a merger between British Steel and Dutch firm Hoogovens.

The losses come after a week which saw 550 axed at the former LucasRists in Accrington, 113 losses announced with the closure of SSL in Blackburn and news that Airtours is relocating almost 1,000 staff to Rochdale from Helmshore.