Last night (Wednesday) management and represent-atives of the Unite union were locked in talks about the best way to protect as many employees as possible at Britain's biggest bus bullder.

It is understood formal consultation on redundancies has started – but reports 260 workers could be axed as early as February have been dismissed by the company.

There are fears, however, that the four-day week introduced in September in the face of an alarming slump in orders might not be enough as ADL tries to fight its way through the recession.

It's claimed further cuts which would cost workers another £43 a week might be needed.

A company spokesman said: "We are the market leaders and consider we produce the best product in the world, but the fact is the market continues to spiral downwards as customers opt to conserve their cash and put investment in new buses on the back burner.

For the full story read this week's Falkirk Herald.