A SWINDON councillor who worked for more than 40 years at Swindon Pressings fears its days are numbered.

Last week bosses of the BMW-owned plant announced 400 jobs are to go many of them to the car giant's Cowley plant in Oxford.

The blow comes just eight months after the Evening Advertiser reported that the plant in Gipsy Lane, Stratton, was to shed 330 jobs as contracts with MG Rover and Landrover came to an end.

Now Coun Derique Montaut (Lab, Moredon) has echoed the concerns of Amicus union leader Jim D'Avila who says its long-term viability could be called into question.

Coun Montaut, a former mayor of Swindon, took voluntary redundancy four months ago after working at the plant for 42 years.

He believes this is the start of a gradual winding-up process despite claims by managing director Bob Bolam that it's business as usual.

The job losses earlier this year came despite assurances made last October that there would be no mass job losses.

Bosses blame a steep decline in outside contracts for the cuts.

In 2001 these contracts accounted for 50 per cent of its annual turnover.

Today that figure stands at just 28 per cent.

Coun Montaut is adamant these latest losses to Cowley could put its long-term future in jeopardy.

"I think Swindon Council has every right to know exactly what BMW intends when it plays such an important part in Swindon's economy," he told the Evening Advertiser.

"It is my fear that Gipsy Lane will eventually end up yet another brownfield site."

Coun Montaut said many workers expected job security when the German giant rescued the firm in 2000.

"There was a real buzz about the place.

"People genuinely welcomed the takeover when Rover collapsed and anticipated great things to come.

"It gave Swindon a bit of prestige that it was lacking. The BMW badge stands for quality.

"As an international manufacturer of a quality product I think BMW has a responsibility to its employers and the people of Swindon."

Coun Montaut now intends to raise his concerns with council leader Mike Bawden.

Speaking to the Evening Advertiser last week, Mr Bolam said the future is bright after the firm secured the contract to supply sub-assembly parts for the new Mini.

But he could not guarantee there would be no further cuts.

The voluntary redundancies and transfers to Oxfordshire will be made between now and the summer.

Kevin Shoesmith