DOZENS of Hampshire workers are today fearing for their jobs after hearing a historic aviation engineering firm could close, the Daily Echo can reveal.

As many as 168 positions could be axed after bosses at Pratt & Whitney Canada decided its £15m complex next to Southampton Airport was "uncompetitive" and launched a consultation on its future.

A spokesman said no final decision has been taken but admitted closure was an option under discussion.

One of aviation's most distinguished names, Pratt & Whitney's decision to create a purpose built site on the edge of Southampton was hailed as a coup when the city emerged the winner of a search for the best site on the south coast.

The company merged its Portsmouth and Farnborough operations under one roof in 2000, creating highly advanced aircraft maintenance workshops and testing facilities.

The cutting edge facilities were supposed to put the centre at the forefront of its business, but it is now seen to be lagging behind rivals.

Vice president for communications for Pratt and Whitney Canada, Nancy German said: "The Southampton service centre is, right now, not competitive.

"We have started a communication process with the Southampton work council, an employee council, and we are in discussions with them to look at a number of different possibilities.

"Closing the facility is one option but we want to make sure we have this discussion with employees to talk about all alternatives. The decision has not been made."

Pratt & Whitney last month announced it won two US Air Force engine contracts valued at more than £1bn.

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a subsidiary, announced in June a £600m NASA contract to design and develop rocket engines for the next generation spacecraft that would eventually send astronauts back to the moon.