ROLLS-Royce is to make a further 100-plus people redundant from its East Lancashire sites.

Just six months after announcing the loss of 60 jobs, the firm says it has identified a further 102 to go at its Ghyll Brow and Bankfield plants in Barnoldswick.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson, who has spoken to Rolls-Royce chief executive Warren East about the redundancies, said. "This will clearly be a difficult time for these dedicated workers.

"The company has confirmed it is offering support to those affected. I am in regular contact with Rolls-Royce as it continues to invest in its UK operations and hope new work can be found for our local sites as soon as possible.”

Cllr David Whipp described the company as part of the 'lifeblood' of the town and added: "Continued cuts in the workforce undermines the whole of the area's economy."

A Rolls-Royce spokesman said Barnoldswick would continue to play a major part in its aim to become the ‘world’s leading industrial technology company’.

He added: "At Rolls-Royce we continually review our workload and assess customer demand to remain competitive.

"At a recent review we identified a requirement to reduce the employee headcount at our Barnoldswick facility by 102.

"We are now consulting with employees and their representatives, offering full support to those impacted by the changes.

"It is never an easy decision to propose reductions in our workforce.

"However we need to become a simpler, leaner and more agile organisation to support our long-term ambition to be the world’s leading industrial technology company.”

The company says it has invested more than £130m in the West Craven sites since 2015.