A BUCKLEY councillor has pledged his continuing support for Airbus employees in the wake of proposed redundancies.

The company announced last month that more than 1,400 jobs are at risk at its Broughton plant.

Independent Alliance councillor Dennis Hutchinson has written to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak to raise his concerns about the matter, as well as Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport.

He said he has also spoken with Mark Tami, MP for Alyn and Deeside, Flintshire Council Leader councillor Ian Roberts and Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant.

Cllr Hutchinson said: "What prompted me to do it was that a number of years ago a massive redundancy programme took place in the mid 80s at Shotton Steel's heavy end.

"I had been an employee there as a foreman at the coke oven and the blast furnace - 8,000 people were made redundant in one swoop and it was a massive blow to the community.

"I feel very sorry for these people at Airbus, some of whom are constituents of mine.

"They contacted me via their Union and I wanted to give them my assurance that I was supporting them and will continue to support them.

"This is a world renowned company and hopefully it will bounce back.

"It is a devastating blow for these jobs to be put in jeopardy."

Last week Labour councillors including Cllr Ian Roberts, Labour group leader at Flintshire Council, and Cllr Derek Butler, cabinet member for economic development, pledged to do all they can to save jobs at the plant.

Cllr Hutchinson said: "We have had a very good response from Cllr Ian Roberts, Cllr Derek Butler, Jack Sargeant MS and Mark Tami MP.

"They are very supportive of the situation and I am grateful - I am satisfied they are doing everything they can to solve this situation."