CHEMICAL firm Syngenta is to axe 240 jobs at its Huddersfield works.

The job losses amount to 40% of the 600-strong workforce at the company's site off Leeds Road, between Deighton and Dalton.

It is the latest body blow to manu- facturing in the town - bringing the number of job losses announced by major employers this month to about 680.

It comes just weeks after news that 180 jobs are to go at the former Hopkinsons valve firm in Birkby.

Textiles have also been hit by 120 jobs losses at Globe Worsted at Slaithwaite - which will close - and almost 140 redundancies at Huddersfield Fine Worsted in Kirkheaton.

Stunned Syngenta staff were told of the job cuts at meetings yesterday.

The Swiss-owned company said the redundancies would take place over the next 18 months.

Site manager Robert Swan said: "We appreciate that this is a difficult time for our people, especially given the many efficiency improvements which have been achieved.

"The most important job now is to let people know their individual circumstances as soon as possible."

He said: "We will provide those affected with a comprehensive support package to help them find new employment."

Andrew Coker, spokesman at Syngenta's UK headquarters in Surrey, said the company had set up a 24-hour helpline for employees affected by the job cuts. Trained counsellors had also been brought in to talk to staff.

"It is very sad," he said. "Wherever possible, we will use voluntary severance to achieve the job cuts.

"We don't know how many people will want to take that option, but ultimately there will be a few that will be involuntary."

Mr Coker said the job losses resulted from a decision to stop making some chemical compounds used in Touchdown, a weedkiller made by Syngenta and used extensively to protect crops in Africa.

Syngenta will now buy the compounds from an overseas supplier who can make them more cheaply.

Mr Coker said: "It is a tragedy, but we are responding to global economic forces - despite the fact that the workforce and management have done a magnificent job in achieving greater efficiencies."

Mr Coker insisted the Leeds Road works remained an important site for the company, adding: "We will continue to manufacture on this site seven of the most important products for Syngenta with a workforce of 300-plus."

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said the job cuts were a "bitter blow" for the town.

He said alarm bells were ringing for manufacturing in the town as more jobs were "exported".

He said he was planning a meeting for leading employers and figures from Kirklees Council and Huddersfield University to discuss ways of strengthening the town's manufacturing sector.

He would also meet Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to see how Huddersfield could benefit from the transfer of Government departments to the regions.

Syngenta shares the site with Avecia, a separate company unaffected by the announcement.