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900 JOBS TO GO AT EUROTUNNEL

Eurotunnel has announced 900 job cuts as it fought competition from low-cost airlines and ferries.

The Channel Tunnel operator said the cuts would come through voluntary redundancies in the UK and France.

Eurotunnel chairman and chief executive Jacques Gounon said: "We need a company that is more flexible, more reactive to our markets, and more in tune to the needs of our clients."

The job cuts - around 450 jobs in the UK and 450 in France - will be completed by June next year leaving Eurotunnel with 2,300 staff.

In a statement, the company said: "These are exclusively voluntary redundancies. Eurotunnel had committed not to make any compulsory redundancies."

Eurotunnel said it was "an important reduction in staffing" which would strengthen the financial position of the company.

Mr Gounon said: "It is thanks to this effort that we will be able to maintain and strengthen our position as cross-Channel market leader.

"The remaining employees whose commitment, motivation and sense of professionalism I salute, are committed to work together to reach these objectives and by so doing will ensure the long term success of this great company."