UP to 300 jobs could be axed at Prescot-based Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, it has been revealed.

The Prescot site currently employs 1,000 permanent workers.

But the company has announced proposals to "realign its operations", intended to secure a future for the business.

Glen Dimplex Home Appliances will enter into consultation with the Unite and Community unions and will also be consulting with employee representatives over the coming months.

A company statement read: "The proposed changes are likely to result in up to 300 potential redundancies over the course of the year, commencing from August 2018.

"Consolidation of major UK retailers and among Major Domestic Appliance (MDA) manufacturers, as well as changing consumer trends, have led to a negative impact on GDHA’s financial performance.

"Today’s announcement is seen as necessary to ensure a viable GDHA business in the future.

"The proposals under consideration include exiting loss-making segments of the market, outsourcing the manufacture of certain products, and investment in products which are more economically viable to produce in Prescot."

Commenting on today’s announcement, Andy Griffiths, chief executive at Glen Dimplex Consumer Appliances, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we are today announcing this significant change to our business.

"We are incredibly proud of our people and our long-standing history of manufacturing at this site, and we know how tough this news will be on our colleagues.

"Sadly, these proposals are necessary to ensure a viable GDHA business going forward.”

Glen Dimplex is a privately owned UK manufacturer made up of international cooking and refrigeration brands Stoves, Belling, New World, Lec and Britannia.