WORKERS at one of Westhoughton's largest firms are facing job cuts because of the American terrorist attacks.

Union chiefs are locked in talks with bosses at Bellhouse Hartwell in an attempt to safeguard 55 positions.

Workers were told of the redundancies, believed to both voluntary and imposed, last week. Staff are said to be shocked at the scale of the planned cuts and it is thought eight workers have already opted for voluntary redundancy.

One worker said: "I think it is a combination of weak management and September 11. Morale is at rock bottom."

Factory chiefs and workers union representatives from the Manufacturing Scientific Federation have now launched a 30-day consultation period.

MSF regional officer Ron Ralph said redundancies could be implemented by next month if talks fail. Alternatively, he said the situation could continue into the new year.

Around two-thirds of the company's 350-strong workforce are MSF members.

Mr Ralph said: "Within the aerospace industry there has been a slight downturn anyway, but since September 11 this has been much more the case. These companies are feeling the pinch and it is trickling down to sub-contractors, like Bellhouse Hartwell."

The company, based at Greenvale Works in Leigh Road, carry our repairs on aircraft components. They are subcontracted to British Aerospace (BAE) to supply aircraft parts.

But the MSF remains confident that an agreement can be reached.

Mr Ralph added: "We believe that there is a strong possibility that with a bit of give and take from both sides an agreement can be reached.

"I have spoke to workers and they are quite concerned. Overtime has been cut back. I think people were expecting that something might happen but perhaps not on this scale.

"It is very early days. The consultation is ongoing and we will have to wait and see."

There has been continual disruption at the firm. In August 2000, workers opted for strike action after rejecting a 3.8 per cent pay rise in a MSF ballot. Workers were hoping for around six per cent following a month-long battle. Cllr David Wilkinson, leader of Westhoughton Town Council, said today: "It will be a big blow for families. Industry has suffered greatly since September 11."

The news follows other recent job setback in the Bolton area including a decision to axe 100 jobs at Eaton Transmissions plant in Worsley Road North, Walkden.

Workers and the company itself have blamed the cuts on a downturn in the American economy since the September 11 terrorist attacks.