Up to 40 compulsory redundancies are expected at one of Worthing's largest employers.

Norwich Union has announced it will make a series of staff cutbacks in the next six months. The positions will be filled at new offices in Delhi, Bangalore and Pune, India.

Leaders of the trade union Amicus were meeting Norwich Union chiefs today to discuss the nationwide relocation of 2,350 clerical and call centre jobs to India.

The decision has left thousands of workers facing an uncertain future, with the prospect of 500 job losses nationally.

Norwich, which made £1.8 billion last year, employs more than 1,000 workers at its Worthing offices on the A27 Arundel Road.

Spokesman David Ross said every effort would be made to re-deploy those forced into redundancy within the company.

He said: "We expect the maximum number of compulsory redundancies in Worthing would be 40. Having said that, we employ well over 1,000 people and we'll try to find them other jobs in Worthing or at other offices around the country.

"Forty is the worst-case scenario. We are optimistic and have plenty of time to do this.

"Jobs are safe for the next six months. We told staff to give them an idea of what we intend to do next year so they know what's going to happen."

Mr Ross said: "The vast majority of jobs we are planning to move are not call centre jobs. The relocation relates to IT and to accounts.

"The vast majority of jobs in India do not include customer interaction."

Boss Richard Harvey said the firm had to remain competitive following similar 'offshore' moves by BT, Abbey, American Express and Prudential.

Brian Harris, regional officer for Amicus, said: "We will be trying to persuade Norwich Union to change its mind. We think this decision is deplorable and motivated entirely by greed."