Business leaders are confident workers set to lose their jobs at Royal & SunAlliance in Horsham will find work in the area.

Up to 100 posts are to be axed at the insurance company's Sussex offices.

Talks will be held with staff and full union consultation will continue to take place before the jobs are lost.

The losses, announced yesterday, were revealed a month after the company stated it was restructuring its Strategic Change and IS department.

At least 200 jobs are being lost in the department as a whole, which has bases in eight sites across the UK, including Horsham.

The 100 losses will be divided between the Horsham and Liverpool sites, with another 100 being shed from the company's other sites in Bristol, Halifax, Manchester, London, Chelmsford and Bourne-mouth.

It has not been confirmed how the 100 job losses between Horsham and Liverpool will be divided.

Horsham district councillor Roger Paterson, Cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, said last night: "We deeply regret the news because any loss of employment in the town is something of a concern.

"It's very difficult at the moment in the financial services sector."

But Coun Paterson said he hoped the buoyant economy of Horsham would mean the job losses would not have a huge impact on the town.

He added: "All I would say is Horsham economically is in very good shape and, although there are job losses, they will be able to be absorbed locally."

Some staff may be re-deployed within other departments.

Duncan Boyle, Royal & SunAlliance's UK Chief Executive, said: "We are improving the focus and efficiency of our business and, in turn, those functions that support it so we can build long-term profitability and be in the best possible position to compete effectively in the future."