WORKERS at Electrolux in the region look to have been spared the axe in the latest round of job cuts by the Swedish group.

The group is planning to cut about 2,800 posts worldwide as part of restructuring plans. But only 100 of those jobs will go in the UK, with no plant closures.

Workers at the Spennymoor plant, which makes cookers, will be unaffected by the losses. It is still unclear if the neighbouring Flymo lawnmower plant in Newton Aycliffe will be affected.

However, workers at two plants in Germany and others in Norway, India and Mexico will not be so lucky, because major plant closures are planned.

A spokesman for Electrolux, which makes fridges, vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers, said fewer than 100 jobs would be lost in the UK, where the company employs about 3,000 workers.

He said: "While there will be some job losses in the UK, there are no plant closures planned.

"We can't say exactly where the jobs will go because that is part of an ongoing review that has just started."

He said that the job losses were part of the restructuring process originally announced by Electrolux in October. He said that the group plans to concentrate its research and development facilities in fewer plants, mainly its larger operations, as part of a plan to focus on fewer brands.

But Ray Warren, a spokesman for Electrolux's UK operations, said: "The Spennymoor operations of Electrolux will not be affected by these present cuts.

"They will have very little impact on the UK operations at all, with fewer than 100 jobs being cut."

The group's brands include Electrolux, AEG, Zanussi and Frigidaire.

The company said the restructuring was going ahead because it was coming under increasing pressure in its main markets, particularly the US, with market share being hit and growth remaining flat.

Electrolux chief executive Michael Treschow said: "The measures we have announced are aimed at reducing costs as well as addressing loss-making units and non-performing assets."

Since Mr Treschow took up the post, in 1997, Electrolux has axed 14,500 jobs worldwide.

It employs about 86,500 people.

In 1999, Electrolux axed more than 650 jobs in Spennymoor when it closed its refrigerator plant.