Royal London chiefs have denied rumours that 300 more jobs are to be axed at the Colchester-based firm.

Following an announcement that 300 jobs were to go from the firm's Middleborough HQ, it has been widely rumoured that 300 more posts would be cut.

An announcement over staffing and property owned by the insurance firm is expected in July.

But while Royal London bosses accept more jobs are likely to go, they claim they have never heard mention of the 300 job cut figure.

Royal London spokesman Stephen Humphreys said: "We announced some redundancies, and there may be more reduncancies in Colchester and Wilmslow, in Cheshire.

"We will make a further announcement in July."

Mr Humphreys said he was unable to explain how the rumour had come about, or why the figure 300 had been consistent.

The 300 job losses already announced - which accounts for a quarter of the 1,200 strong Colchester workforce - follows the insurance giant's takeover of United Assurance.

The axed jobs include 216 permanent and 92 temporary posts.

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