ANOTHER 170 jobs are to be axed from a Gwent telecommunications factory, its workers have been told.

It is the second body blow for staff at Solectron in Cwmcarn who discovered last week that 350 jobs were to go and it means the end of manufacturing at the plant.

According to Islwyn Assembly member Brian Hancock the news is a "devastating blow" for the Valleys community.

Workers at the US-owned factory, which makes telecommunications equipment, have already been told the 350 manufacturing jobs will be lost when the company transfers the work abroad.

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) held a meeting yesterday when they heard about the latest job cuts.

CWU national executive officer Bernard Roome said: "We have been to the factory and spoken to our members and they are fully aware of the 170 job losses. Management will not deny it.

"The branch had an on-site meeting yesterday to decide what action to take as part of the campaign to save the future of the factory."

He said staff decided not to take industrial action "at this stage" but will mount a "high pressure public campaign to maintain the highest number of jobs possible."

Mr Roome said: "We are shocked and angry at the situation that once again more jobs are to go.

"The mood was one of shock at the fact that just after we were told 350 jobs are lost there are 170 more.

"The plans are to put pressure on Solectron, not just locally but globally to maintain the jobs."

He added that the remaining 200 service jobs at the site are still at risk of being axed.

"We are trying to get a package to protect them."

Mr Hancock said the impact on the area would be the same as the closure of Llanwern on the communities of south- east Gwent.

He said: "It is bad news all round. I am very concerned. Our manufacturing industries are being threatened by conditions that are not in their control. "I am very sorry about the people down there. It is going to be a devastating blow."

A spokeswoman for Solectron said she expected a statement to be issued later today.