FORTY-FOUR jobs are to be axed at a major Kidderminster car component factory.

The cuts at United Engineering Forgings (UEF) are expected to take place at the Stourport Road factory in the "coming months".

The company, formerly Smethwick Drop Forgings, which has 220 employees, has seen some contracts run out and others are not due to start until next year.

"This has caused a reduction in workload", said Andy Taylor, regional officer of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union.

Last November the firm won a major car components order worth £1.8 million a year.

At the time it said the contract to supply connecting rods for petrol engines manufactured by Opel for Vauxhall cars for a minimum of three years would secure 200 jobs.