FIFTY more jobs are under threat at Wrexham’s redundancy-struck JCB factory, it emerged last night.

The news comes as a fresh blow to the skeleton workforce.

JCB Transmissions, Wrexham, has already seen more than 110 jobs axed this year and an overtime ban has been imposed.

Talks are underway among employees to find a way to stop more jobs being slashed, after it emerged 50 more could be earmarked for the chop.

Last night, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM Janet Ryder described the potential loss of more jobs as a “major blow for the workforce and the area.”

She said: “This is bad news for staff at the plant in the run-up to Christmas and I very much hope that the company will see the sense in keeping these skilled workers on, possibly on short-time working, to ensure that their skills aren’t lost.”

“The Assembly's economic summit yesterday made it clear that we need to find a way to support the Welsh economy in these difficult times.Š

“Earlier this week economic development Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones announced a £35m package to help workers made redundant and, while I hope that we can avoid further job cuts such as the one announced by JCB, at least these measures will provide some practical help.”

A spokesman for JCB was last night unavailable for comment.