A WAVE of job losses look set to hit Ford’s Dunton plant as the motor giant makes efficiency savings.

Up to 275 jobs are set to go at Dunton and Ford’s other south Essex site at Warley, near Brentwood.

The job losses announced yesterday, which will be on a voluntary basis, are part of plans to axe 500 jobs across Europe.

Union bosses from Unite have called for “full involvement in the negotiations” about the job losses which will effect managerial, supervisory and engineering staff. The job losses come as the company faces massive losses.

Roger Maddison, Unite’s national officer for the automotive industry, said: “Naturally, we don’t like any loss of employment and we will be negotiating the best possible redundancy packages for those wishing to leave.”

Full reaction in today's Echo.