Workers at Marconi Optical Components in Essex will all be offered new jobs as its factory closes.

Marconi had refused to speculate on how jobs in Chelmsford would be affected by the sell-off of its optical components arm in a £19m deal with Bookham Technology.

It was feared that the Marconi Optical Components employees, 70 of whom are based at Waterhouse Lane, in Chelmsford, would all face the axe.

But, after yesterday's consultation meeting between Marconi representatives and shop stewards, it has been announced that all the affected workers will be offered a transfer to Bookham Technology, which has a site in Oxfordshire and others around the world.

Those that do not want to go can be redeployed at Marconi Applied Technologies, also in Waterhouse Lane, which currently has 60 vacancies.

Nigel Baldwin, human resources director for Marconi Capital of which Marconi Optical Components is a part, said: "We have had a consultation meeting and are working to ensure that employees know exactly what their options are so they can make the best decisions."

He added that the employees will be able to think about the proposals over Christmas with the move being expected to take place by the end of January or early February.

Published Wednesday December 19, 2001