AROUND 100 posts are being axed at Newport's Intellectual Property Office.

The office in Cardiff Road, formerly the Patent Office, said a fall in the number of patent applications, a weak pound and the recession were the reasons behind the cuts.

The IPO said no decision has been made on which department the changes will affect or the exact number of jobs that will be lost.

Newport West MP Paul Flynn said he was surprised by the news and has written to the IPO to arrange a meeting to see if anything can be done to save jobs.

"It's unpleasant news, it's been a wonderful source of skilled jobs in Newport and a major asset to the city over the years," he said.

A spokesman for the IPO said: "Nobody is immune to the current financial situation and we are expecting to receive less income in 2009/10 than we received in the last three years."

The IPO said it expected to receive fewer applications for trademarks in 2010 and a weak pound meant it was spending more when paying in Euros and dollars.

Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU) national officer for Wales, Peter Wales, said: "The announcement that 100 jobs are to be lost at Newport is a big blow.

We are working with management to ensure that our members are found suitable alternative work and given the training and re-skilling needed."

The IPO spokesman said the company had to look at areas where it could save money and said the decision to cut jobs was a difficult one.