Talks will take place later on Friday in an attempt to avert a strike at the insurance company Prudential.

I hope we can reach an agreement that will save the jobs and the future of the Pru in Reading

Roger Lyons Amicus

A delegation from the Amicus union will meet the company's chief executive to outline opposition to plans to cut 850 jobs in Reading.

Prudential has said it wants to save money by transferring work to a new call centre in India.

Amicus has warned that its members could take industrial action to stop the jobs being lost.

Saving jobs

Joint general secretary Roger Lyons will lead a union delegation to meet bosses including Chief Executive Mark Wood.

Mr Lyons said he was pleased Mr Wood had responded so quickly to the anger shown by workers.

"Amicus will stress its opposition to this plan and we will make him understand the anger that his workforce feels towards this plan.

"I hope we can reach an agreement that will save the jobs and the future of the Pru in Reading," he added.

'Committed to consulting'

Amicus fears the switch of work overseas could be followed by other firms in the financial services sector, especially those with call centres.

The union is also protesting against plans to stop new recruits joining the Prudential's final salary pension scheme.

A spokesman for the Prudential said: "We are absolutely committed to consulting with the unions."