AN industrial firm is axing 4,500 jobs in a move that could affect its 14,000-strong UK workforce.

Siemens says 2,200 posts will be cut in Germany.

However, its has not disclosed where the remained will be.

The German-based conglomerate has a number of sites around the UK, including bases in Newcastle, Durham City, and Hebburn, South Tyneside.

The firm employed more than 341,000 people at the end of last year in more than 200 countries, with more than 1,600 in the North East.

Its latest announcement comes just weeks after it unveiled plans to axe 7,800 posts globally.

Joe Kaeser, chief executive said: “With these measures, the company’s structural reorganisation has been completed for the most part.”

The firm operates a £9m wind power training centre, in Newcastle, which has trained thousand of apprentices on how to safely work on turbines, with its Durham City base focusing on back office operations, such as staff expenses.

Last year, The Northern Echo reported how the firm said it would create 300 North-East jobs in work on control equipment for a £6.5bn transport scheme.

The company said the posts would come from a project to make components for Class 700 electric trains, which will run on the Thameslink programme.

At the time, it said it would deliver parts for more than 1,100 carriages, including cable harnesses, drivers’ instruments control desks, with the rolling stock part of £6.5bn Government plans to transform travel through London.