DIY giant B&Q is now consulting staff on plans to axe 70 jobs at its Chandler's Ford headquarters.

Workers were told about the surprise move through e-mails and face-to-face meetings earlier this week. The losses would be spread across the headquarters' departments, targeting posts that don't turn a profit.

Around 1,400 staff are employed at Chandler's Ford, the national headquarters for B&Q, which announced six-monthly profits of more than £2 billion earlier this year.

A spokesman said: "The consultation is about making sure everyone's concerns are being addres-sed."

Staff will find out in the first week of December if they are to lose their jobs.