CONSIGNIA workers at the company's Newport depot of Parcelforce Worldwide have been told their jobs are safe.

The company announced yesterday that it is to axe a further 10,000 staff as the loss-making Parcelforce Worldwide business is scaled down.

But later editions of the Argus reported yesterday the 60 workers at Newport were told their jobs were safe as the company continues to provide an express parcels service.

Other Parcelforce Worldwide depots to close include Pontypridd and Wrexham. Four distribution depots are also closing, among them Cardiff.

Problems for Consignia and the government deepened today as the postal unions threatened strike action after company bosses admitted the final toll could reach 45,000.

Chief executive John Roberts told MPs yesterday there was an expected total of up to 30,000 job losses at the company, with the danger of 15,000 more if moves to open the postal services market up to competition went ahead.

The Communication Workers' Union - the largest postal workers' union - said it would act if the postal company forced through compulsory redundancies to achieve its savings of £1.2bn.

Consignia is currently facing losses of £1.5m a day. Earlier this year Consignia said 4,500 posts would go in management.

More redundancies may follow as Consignia prepares to reduce the number of urban post offices.

It is not known if the axe will fall in Gwent.