FORD could cut 1,160 jobs at a factory in south Wales, a leaked report revealed yesterday.

The car manufacturer has reportedly projected the job losses on the basis it will not bring any more work to the Bridgend plant. It would leave the site with just 600 workers.

The company said it had proposed a joint working party with unions Unite and GMB “to identify future business opportunities.”

But GMB organiser Jeff Beck said: “This is a real kick in the teeth for our hard-working members at the Ford plant, as well as their families and the community as a whole.

“Our first priority is to defend our members’ jobs.

“We will be consulting with them to decide what action we will take in the wake of this devastating news.”

Unite leader Len McCluskey said: “We will not allow Ford to walk away from its responsibilities. Ford must give this plant a chance and work with Unite to secure a better future.

“We will be seeking legally binding guarantees to secure future production at the plant as well as exploring how Bridgend’s production capacity can be fully utilised through the introduction of new lines.”

The news came shortly after food giant PepsiCo announced it would be closing its crisps factory in Peterlee in northeast England.

The site’s closure, which manufactures Walkers crisps and Wotsits among other brands, puts 380 jobs under threat.

Its is expected to close on December 31, but GMB regional organiser Michael Hunt said unions would challenge the move.

“This is terrible news for our members — the employees — and their families, and for the town of Peterlee.”