Hundreds of jobs at risk at Yeovil aerospace firm GKN after loss of business

The future of a branch of a major engineering company in Somerset is in doubt after dozens of employees were sent home this morning.

All 230 workers at GKN in Yeovil were sent home after the company was informed it was no longer needed to build Royal Navy helicopter parts for another Yeovil-based company Leonardo.

The company has said the loss of business could lead to the closure of its Yeovil site as the company was 'no longer a sustainable business'. A spokesman said:

The company says the site in Yeovil is 'no longer a sustainable business'. Credit: PA Images

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says he will do everything in his power to help the workers.

Over 55,000 people work in GKN companies in more than 30 countries around the world.

The company supplies wings, fuselages and engines for aircraft and had been building airframes for the Wild Cat helicopters - a project that made up the vast majority of its business.

The company has now begun formal consultations with the unions.

GKN has been building airframes for Wild Cat helicopters Credit: PA

The Unite union has issued a statement in response to the news