AT LEAST 500 jobs are to be axed at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), in Aldermaston.

The firm announced this week that in order to enhance their production and capital investment, around 500 roles will be cut from across the Aldermaston and Burghfield sites.

An AWE spokesman said the firm are doing their upmost to support their employees.

He said: "While the company is committed to avoiding compulsory redundancies where possible, a reduction of roles in some areas and an increase in others is required to ensure long-term efficiencies while meeting overall programme requirements.

"As a result, the organisation is proposing to reduce the number of roles in some support functions and activities of the business where this is appropriate, with a reduction of around 500 roles across the organisation."