NEARLY 100 Hereford workers could face the axe after electricity giant Powergen included its Grandstand Road office in a list of possible closures.

Clerical and office staff are likely to be affected if the Westfield Trading Estate base, which employs 93 workers, is given the chop.

Powergen has announced plans to close a number of offices, including its Ludlow depot.

The company is merging Midlands Electricity with its existing East Midlands Electricity business under the name Central Networks.

The merger could lead to a total of 600 job losses nationwide. However, it is understood engineers will not be as badly hit by the closures as office and clerical staff.

The company wants staff to apply for voluntary redundancies although, in some cases, it is possible workers may be transferred to other branches. The formal consultation period with employees and unions is expected to last up to 90 days.

Powergen spokesman Bob Taylor said: "I know that it won't be an easy time for staff but we have a very good track record when it comes to managing change.

"We will be looking to deal with the uncertainty as soon as possible and hope to achieve redundancies voluntarily."

Hereford MP Paul Keetch is concerned about the reliability of future power supply in Herefordshire.

"There is a history of power supply problems throughout Herefordshire and electricity customers need to be assured that these job cuts will not result in poorer service or slower response to incidents," he said.

"These job loses are another blow to the economy of Herefordshire and they come at a difficult time. This is again why we need to attract new investment into Herefordshire and the local council must up its game in attracting public and private investment."