Avionics firm cuts 150 jobs

BAE Systems makes aircraft parts

A leading avionics firm has announced 150 jobs are to go at its division in Kent.

BAE Systems told the Department of Trade and Industry on Thursday it intended to shed 150 jobs at its site in Rochester, as well as 50 jobs in Edinburgh.

The company, which currently employs 2,150 people at its avionic systems division in Rochester, said the redundancies would take effect in May or June.

They are expected to hit the company's 900-strong engineering department hardest.

Staff will now be consulted about the cuts.

Managing director Sue Wood said she believed the redundancies would help secure the long-term health of the company.