1200 Jobs gone

Quite frequently we hear from politicians oh manufacturing isn't important the knowledge economy is more important, so what do we do when the jobs in knowledge start to vanish?

AstraZeneca announces plans to close Loughborough site

The centre develops treatments for lung and breathing problems.

One of Leicestershire's major employers is to shut its operation with the loss of almost 1,200 jobs.

Managers at AstraZeneca's research facility on the outskirts of Loughborough met staff to discuss their future on Tuesday.

The firm announced 8,000 worldwide redundancies in January, following more than 12,000 posts going as part of earlier efficiency plans.

Over the past 10 years more than £100m has been spent developing the site.

In a statement, the company said it had "shared with its employees further details of proposals designed to improve the productivity of its global research and development organisation."

The Loughborough site is expected to close by the end of 2011.

A smaller facility in Cambridge is also to close, the company said.

Pharmaceutical development work will cease at its Avlon base near Bristol with some work being transferred to Cheshire.

The firm announced 8,000 worldwide redundancies in January, following more than 12,000 posts going as part of earlier efficiency plans.