A TOTAL of 240 jobs could be lost at an aerospace factory in Wrexham, a union claims.

The Unite union said on Wednesday that proposed redundancies by Magellan Aerospace was "devastating news" for staff.

The Canadian firm, which supplies components to companies like Airbus, has been approached for comment.

Unite Wales say Magellan Aerospace announced they intend to make 240 workers redundant at their site in Llay.

It comes after Magellan announced in May that it was "reviewing all its operations and implementing cost reduction initiatives and production efficiencies" amid the pandemic.

Peter Hughes, Unite Wales regional secretary, said: “Today’s announcement by Magellan is devastating news for the workforce at the plant. The proposed scale of these redundancies would affect almost half of the current employees. The potential economic consequences for the economy of north east Wales are huge.

"Whilst Unite recognises that there is intense pressure on the aerospace sector at present, it is crucial that Magellan is in a position to pick up production levels quickly once the pandemic and its effect on the sector eases. If Magellan loses almost half of its highly skilled workforce, then bouncing back in a post Brexit economy becomes extremely difficult.

"Now is not the time for rash decisions. Magellan needs to hold its nerve and work with us to preserve jobs and find a way through the current slowdown in the sector."

He added: "Unite will be doing everything possible to support our members during this difficult and worrying time”.