AEROSPACE workers have been told not to panic over rumours that 1,000 jobs are to go at BAE Systems plants in Lancashire.

Amicus union leaders are currently holding talks with the company over job losses which are in the pipeline.

But they have said that figures have yet to be decided.

Brian Harris, spokesman for union Amicus, said: "We are talking to BAE Systems about re-organisation and about the future of the site.

"We are talking about possible job cuts. There has been no agreement between the two sides on numbers or where the jobs are to go and talks are continuing.

"There has not been any announcement from the company and the convenor is still in talks.

He added: "There is no need to panic."

But jobs will undoubtedly go at both the Warton and Samlesbury sites.

BAE employs more than 8,000 people in Lancashire with thousands more jobs at sub-contractors and suppliers dependent on the defence giant.

A spokesman for BAE Systems said: "The first people who will know about any job losses will be our employees.

"We are carrying out talks at the moment and no date for an announcement has been set.

"Mitigation talks are taking place prior to there being an announcement which is unusual for us.

"These talks will look at trying to relocate people in other parts of the business instead of making them redundant."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "If it does come about that there will be heavy job cuts it will be to do with the delays in Typhoon project and for that I blame the Government."