The fallen telecoms giant, Marconi, has announced that it is cutting 1,000 jobs.

The company said it was about to begin a three month consultation process to decide where the cuts will be made.

Danny Carrigan, the national officer for the union Amicus, told BBC News Online that he was disappointed by the announcement.

"We are all working together to try and ensure the company's survival," he said.

"We are meeting with the company next week and hoping we can avoid compulsory redundancies," he added.

Marconi's workforce in the UK has almost halved in the past two years, having made 7,000 staff redundant.

The firm's biggest plants are in Liverpool and Coventry.

Spending spree

Marconi was formerly the defence firm GEC.

It tried to turn itself into a global telecommunications specialist through a costly acquisition spree during the late 1990s.

But the technology and telecoms downturn came just as the company completed its makeover, leaving Marconi with billions of pounds of debts.

The company has sold off parts of the business and has been involved in lengthy negotiations with its banks to try to restructure what is left.

Last month Marconi said it had made a �152m loss in the three months to June, and its sales had fallen by 22% compared with the same period last year.

City reaction

In the City, Marconi shares had edged 0.07p higher to 4.00p by the close of trading on Friday.

The stock hit 1250p in September 2000.