GMB Union regional officer David Shamma said workers were "stunned" after being told the news in a changeover between two production shifts.

He said: "The workforce is devastated, very unhappy. They are wondering why. As a union, we will be asking how Indesit came to this decision, whether it is reversible and how we can lessen the impact?

"It seems the decision is based on the fact that it is cheaper to make the products in countries like Poland, but where does that leave the future of British manufacturing?"

FULL story in Friday's Evening Telegraph.

BREAKING NEWS 2.30PM: FOUR months after assuring workers their future was secure, Indesit is to axe 420 jobs at its Peterborough plant.

The jobs will be lost in the refrigeration plant at the Celta Road works in Woodston when production there is ended in October.

News of the major jobs blow follows assurances from the company in January after workers expressed fears for their jobs following the discovery of a document on a fax machine which appeared to question the future of the plant.

Management then told the GMB union that there was no cause for alarm as the incomplete document was part of a feasibility study.

IF YOU ARE a worker at the plant and would like to have your say, comment below or email eteditor @peterboroughtoday.co.uk

Today, Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson expressed his sadness and regret at the news.

Mr Jackson was briefed this morning by the firm's Manufacturing Managing Director Carlos Ramos and he will meet with senior managers at the business in the next week to discuss the news and the firm's future plans for the rest of its city workforce.

He said: "I am very sad at this terrible news which will affect hundreds of my constituents in Peterborough. It will naturally be a very worrying time for them and their families.

"We are talking about well-trained and skilled people and I do hope that jobs will be available to them at Indesit perhaps in another capacity or with other city businesses.

"I hope to meet with managers at Indesit next week to ensure that they are doing everything to help those made redundant and safeguard the other jobs at their UK headquarters on site."

North West Cambs MP Shailesh Vara, whose constituency covers the Woodston works, said: "I am extremely disappointed at this news. I have already spoken with the Managing Director of Indesit and asked him to consider every option open to them with a view to saving as many jobs as possible.

" I have also urged the management to be as generous as they can be in terms of financial packages for those who are made redundant, as well as doing as much as can be done to help those affected find new jobs.

"My sympathies go out to all those workers and their families who have this cloud hanging over them. I realise it must be a very difficult and worrying time for all affected.

"I will be staying in touch with the company's management and will continue to press them to do all they can to keep as many jobs as possible in Peterborough."


FULL STORY AND REACTION IN FRIDAY'S EVENING TELEGRAPH.