MORE than 30 jobs are to go following a shake-up at a television screen factory.

Workers were called to meetings at the Philips plant at Simonstone and told that around 35 employees would lose their jobs.

The company said it hoped that some of the job losses could be through voluntary redundancy.

A statement issued by the firm said that the jobs cuts - out of a workforce of 320 - were needed for the firm to become more competitive.

"The reorganisation is part of Philips Components strategy to improve its competitive position," the statement said.

The firm said the move was in preparation for a major investment in rebuilding the main plant at the site next year.

The Simonstone site has been home to one of East Lancashire's most important industries for more than 40 years and produces glass television screens and other components.

Last year the group's president warned a third of its factories would close over the next four years.

The Dutch group, which employs more than 700 people in East Lancashire said it aimed to cut its manufacturing sites from 244 to between 160 and 170 by 2002.

But the firm stressed the proposals were dependant on a number of factors and that there were no plans in place for the UK sites.

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