SHOCKED workers at York's Nestl Rowntree factory were left reeling today after being told a further 150 jobs were set to be axed.

The posts threatened involve process workers on the Kit Kat, Aero and assortment lines at the Wigginton Road plant.

The job cuts are in addition to an announcement by bosses in August that 220 technical posts would be lost over the next 18 months.

But Nestl chiefs said today that despite the fresh job cuts the York factory remained a "key site" for the company..

A Nestl spokesman blamed new technology for the latest wave of losses, which will wipe out about 150 shop floor jobs.

He said: "The industry is changing rapidly and the factory has developed over the last ten years to reflect these changes."

He said more than £150 million had been pumped into the York factory on equipment, production lines and product technology, allowing new confectionery like Kit Kat Chunky and Kit Kat Kubes to be made.

The spokesman added: "As a result of these new automated technologies, it is estimated the factory will require fewer shop floor workers from spring 2004."

Factory managers were today discussing the cuts with employees, who will be offered advice about finding new work.

General manager Ian Jobson broke the news to workers during their shifts yesterday.

GMB organiser John Kirk said today: "We're going to sit down with the company and discuss why another 150 jobs need to go.

The York factory employs more than 3,000 people.

Updated: 14:21 Wednesday, November 05, 2003