HOUSEBUILDER Persimmon is cutting more jobs following its takeover of Beazer.

Following the £550m merger of the businesses, in March, 46 jobs were cut at operations on Tyneside.

Now the York-based builder has revealed that it needs to cut another 81 jobs as part of a continuing reorganisation.

Those targeted for the axe include labourers, forklift truck drivers and ground workers.

The redundancies are due to be completed by tomorrow.

A spokesman for builders' union Ucatt said: "This is a terrible blow for the workers, many of whom have worked for Beazer for years. There have already been job losses following the merger and now we are unsure if there will be any more."

Jeff Fairburn, managing director of the North-East operations, said: "I can confirm that a total of 81 employees have unfortunately been made redundant and their contracts will end no later than Friday."