MORE than 8,000 manufacturing jobs are likely to be lost in the first three months of this year, according to the latest survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The CBI study found that job losses were expected to continue in all but two areas of the country, Northern Ireland and South-West England.

The survey of 984 manufacturers was carried out between December 14 and January 10, and so was unable to take account of last week's announcement of plans for more than 6,000 job cuts by Anglo-Dutch steel giant Corus.

It was also unable to take on board Monday's announcements by Ford and Vauxhall safeguarding or creating more than 1,800 jobs.

In the North-East, business optimism showed the sharpest fall in the UK, continuing the sharp decline seen in the previous survey.

Total orders showed the largest reduction for the second successive survey, while output registered a further decrease.

Companies' investment intentions for new plant and machinery have also turned significantly negative.

Employment levels in the region are also expected to fall in the quarter.

Manufacturing job prospects are worst in the South-East of England, the North West and the West Midlands, said the CBI.

Despite this, the level of pessimism about what the future holds is improving, although business confidence as a whole among manufacturers is continuing to fall in most regions of the country.

Manufacturers in the South- West and Yorkshire and Humber regions reported pronounced increases in confidence about their export prospects, followed by Scotland and the East Midlands.

But in Wales, the South-East and East of England manufacturers were more gloomy than they had been about the future prospects.