Home shopping group to axe 1,500 jobs

The GMB union said the cuts in Sunderland, Burnley and Newtown in mid-Wales were a "devastating blow" to local communities.

It said it would do everything it could during the 90-day consultation to lessen the impact of the "disastrous" news.

Northern regional officer Mick Hopper said: "This announcement is a body blow in an area of very high unemployment. We will be seeking help from elected representatives and other Government agencies to see what can be done to save jobs."

Yesterday it was also announced that another 8,000 jobs were to be slashed across AstraZeneca's global operations under a sweeping job cuts programme that has already seen 12,600 roles axed.

The drugs giant said jobs will go over the next four years across global functions, including sales and marketing, business infrastructure and research.