Nortel to shed 3,200 global jobs

Nortel employs about 31,000 people around the world

Telecoms equipment giant Nortel has said it plans to shed a further 3,200 jobs from its 31,000 staff worldwide.

Nortel's UK operation entered administration last month after its parent firm filed for US bankruptcy protection.

The firm employs about 1,200 staff at its European, Middle East and Africa headquarters in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

About 800 staff are also employed in London, Harlow in Essex, north Lanarkshire and Newtownabbey.

The Canadian-based firm, which is a major sponsor of the 2012 Olympics, said the cuts were in addition to the 1,800 reductions still to be implemented from previous plans.

It would not specify where the losses would take place but said they were part of a "business and financial restructuring plan".

Mike Zafirovski, Nortel's president and chief executive, said: "There is nothing more difficult than notifying employees, and Nortel is extremely conscious of the personal financial burden this will cause affected employees and their families.

"Nortel is a company driven by people and innovation. But with the unprecedented economic environment and resultant impacts on revenues, significant changes are required to regain our financial footing.

"Tough decisions are being made to restructure the company and work towards a successful emergence from creditor protection."

Nortel said the job losses would be made over "several months".