Up to 100 jobs at one of Shoreham's flagship firms are to be axed.

Management at Ricardo, the automotive engineering consultancy, are slashing staff levels in the physical testing and prototype departments. New technology has made the work increasingly redundant and the firm has opted for one swift round of cuts.

Chief executive Rodney Westhead said he expected between 60 and 70 jobs to go, but added it could be up to 100. A final announcement would be made at the end of the month.

He said: "I think everybody is always disappointed when people are going to lose their jobs. These are real people we are talking about. But unfortunately we can't provide somebody with a job when there isn't one.

Ricardo is a major player in the motor industry, designing and developing engines for car manufacturers. It has a workforce of 820 people and is one of the area's biggest employers.

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