The announcement went on to say Derby was likely to face the first job losses, with up to 140 jobs expected to go from its assembly and test facility. These cuts represent the first in a programmed series of job reductions at the firm over the coming months.

Workers at the Barnoldswick site will have to wait to see what impacts the announcement will have on the local workforce, although there is general acceptance some jobs are bound to go.

The news came as no surprise to many as job numbers at Rolls-Royce have historically tended to rise and fall in line with the state of the economy, any cutbacks in the numbers of people flying affecting the number of planes, and ultimately the number of engines required.

The firm said it was responding to the global economic slowdown and delays to projects by Airbus and Boeing.

"We are determined to maintain our focus on cost reduction and competitiveness as the world economy enters a challenging period," said Sir John Rose, Rolls-Royce's chief executive.

The company has already lost 2,300 jobs worldwide during this year to boost efficiency, the bulk of these achieved by cutting back on temporary positions or through voluntary severance.

It hopes to achieve these latest cuts by the same method to avoid compulsory redundancies.