JOBS are to be lost at a Westhoughton-based company following restructuring.

Management at the IT firm Anker Systems recently responded to rumours sweeping the plant by stating that no change of ownership was being planned, that the company was not closing down and that there would be no "mass redundancies".

Anker BV from Germany acquired the former Riva Group in 1999 and established its UK headquarters at its Wingates premises.

The company now says that it is in consultation with its 500-plus workforce about a proposed restructure of the business but has not indicated how many job losses will be involved.

A statement said it would involve redundancies spread geographically across the company's UK base.

Mr Steve Butcher, managing director of the western Europe section, said there had been a loss of business in the service and support areas. "Personnel affected by the redundancy programme will be offered our full support and where possible we will offer retraining and development for those people who may be able to move into other expanding areas of the Anker business."

He stressed that Anker, which remained a major player in the electronic point of sale market, was continuing to perform well in key areas.

He went on: "Like all IT companies we are consistently looking to move our products forward by providing the latest technology.

"This means that we will be recruiting new staff over the next few months with the necessary skills to maintain, develop and market these new products in areas where we do not presently have the requisite skills."

He said the company was continuing to win new contracts for its software products.

Mr Butcher added: "The company's success in these areas is of course no consolation to those people facing the prospect of redundancy.

"However, we will endeavour to help them find alternative employment both externally and internally within the Anker business."