UP To 30 JOBS face the axe at a Hampshire firm, the Daily Echo can reveal.

It is understood that about 55 ‘at risk’ letters have been issued and 30 jobs may go at Lawton Communications Group.

Bosses at Lawton – whose blue chip clients have included IBM and Nestle – claim it is to cut costs and reshape the company for the future.

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Chairman Nick Lawton confirmed a consultation period is under way and unions have been informed. He said: “As part of the consultation we will be doing all we can to reduce the number of redundancies so I can’t confirm numbers until that has finished. It is a tough position, we want to do the right thing for those affected by the process and those who are going to be with us moving forward.

“We are looking to cut costs and restructure. Like many businesses we have been affected by the slow down and cuts in public spending.”

He went on to say the firm, which also has an office in London, still has ambitious growth plans and will be opening a two-man operation in Los Angeles in the coming weeks.

The firm, based at Grosvenor Square, Southampton, currently employs 140 staff after cuts earlier this year.

He refused to say when the consultation started and said he did not know if it would end this year or early next, leaving workers in limbo.

The company, founded by Mike Lawton in 1980, now has four commercial arms: ideas agency Five-by-Five, Five-by-Five People, Five-by Five Media and Headstream which specialises in PR.

The Daily Echo understands cuts are most likely to come from Five-by-Five and Five-by-Five People.