THE BODY Shop today announced 300 job losses in Sussex.

The news comes just three months after the troubled company, based in Littlehampton, pledged a "solid commitment" to the town.

Chief executive Patrick Gournay said around 200 jobs are to go at the head office, with another 100 axed from the manufacturing and distribution operations.

In January, the Body Shop said it expected redundancies when it announced a restructuring package aimed at saving the troubled company £8 million.

Today the company said: "Over the last three months we have re-evaluated roles and responsibllities in all areas, which has resulted in our central employee numbers reducing by some 300.

"These people have been told already. Some are on the re-deployment list while others are moving on to other things.

"Although this process has been difficult, we have been committed to carrying it out in a way which is consistent with our values.

"This includes a process of individual consultation for all employees affected by the changes."

In January, joint chairman Gordon Roddick, husband of founder Anita, told the Argus: "Anita and I have a very solid commitment to Littlehampton.

"We both love the town and we wish to see it grow and prosper."

His reassurance followed the company's shares hitting an all-time low on the Stock Exchange after poor Christmas sales.

Rumours had been rife among the 1,800 people working at the Body Shop's two Littlehampton plants.

One employee said: "Staff talk about redundancies, rumours go around, but it is no good believing these things until we know for certain."

The huge Body Shop empire started in a small shop in Kensington Gardens, Brighton, 23 years ago.

The company now has 1,600 stores in 47 countries.

Meanwhile, there was better jobs news.

Cable and Wireless Communications have announced 2,000 news jobs across the country with the launch of a new digital TV service.

The communications giant already has a call centre in Gardner Road, Fishersgate, and more staff are expected to be taken on there.

And Pizza Hut is creating 40 posts at a new restaurant in Horsham.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.