ONE of Hereford's biggest factories is making more than 70 employees redundant, the GMB Union has said.

Special Metals Wiggin, in Holmer Road, is currently in the process of cutting 73 jobs, believed to be as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Russell Farrington, from the GMB Union which represents workers at the site, said this is the second round of redundancies this year.

The Hereford Times understands that 224 jobs out of around 600 employees have been cut so far this year.

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"They are making redundancies, I believe some of workers have been made redundant today (Friday)," Mr Farrington said.

"Obviously it's been caused, as the previous redundancies, by the pandemic we're currently in the middle of."

Mr Farrington added that talks had been had at a local level between union members and bosses at the factory, but the redundancies could not be avoided.

Special Metals, which has factories across the globe, describes the Hereford site as its "major European production facility" in the group.

Special Metal Wiggin Ltd did not respond to the Hereford Times when asked to comment on the latest job cuts.