Troubled telecom giant Marconi is selling its optical components arm in a £19m deal - and it could mean more job losses in Chelmsford.

Marconi is off-loading the division to Bookham Technology in return for a 9.9 per cent stake in the fibre optics group, valuing the deal at £19.7m.

The division, which makes optical components such as transmitters and lasers, is based in Caswell, Northamptonshire, but also has workers in Chelmsford and employs a total of 500 people.

But a spokesman for Marconi today said she could not yet comment on how many Chelmsford jobs would be affected.

More on Business In Essex

Published Monday December 17, 2001