The chances of avoiding large-scale job losses at a BAE Systems factory near Hull are slim, according to local MPs.

David Davis and Alan Johnston met with bosses at the plant in Brough on Tuesday to quiz them about the 450 losses announced in November.

BAE blamed the redundancies on a lack of orders for its Hawk trainer aircraft.

The company is still waiting on an order from the Indian Government which has been in the pipeline for the past year, and it is also yet to conclude a Ministry of Defence contract for the Military Flying Training System (MFTS).

'Report back'

"Regrettably, without the India contract it will be impossible to save any of the 450 jobs," said David Davis, whose constituency contains the Brough site.

"The primary task now must be to secure the remaining jobs by successfully concluding the MFTS contract.

"It is vital there are no further misunderstandings or delays in the current negotiations.

"We have asked the senior management of BAE to report back to us in January on their progress."

'Enormous concern'

The Amicus trade union said November's announcement "caused enormous concern" and blamed the government for the drop in orders.

National secretary John Hall told BBC News Online: "What we have is a world-class product, produced by one of the most highly-skilled workforces in Europe.

"We are particularly concerned that they are still struggling to secure UK orders when our own MoD has informed us that they are considering the Italian jet trainers.

"We need tangible evidence from the UK government that it is prepared to support the manufacturing sector."