BAE Systems staff in rally against Portsmouth shipyard closure.

'HUNDREDS of workers who face losing their jobs will take to the streets of Hampshire this weekend in a bid to save shipbuilding on the south coast.'

The Southampton Echo goes on to report that 'the rally comes just days after Hampshire's centuries-old shipbuilding heritage suffered a devastating blow following the announcement by BAE Systems that 940 jobs would be lost.

Portsmouth Trades Council has organised the demonstration, which will march through Portsmouth City Centre tomorrow, in a bid to save shipbuilding in the region.

Workers, their family and friends from across Hampshire are expected to descend on the city from 1pm, to condemn the behaviour of BAE and the government for “destroying the shipbuilding industry”.

Of the 940 highly-skilled workers facing the axe, hundreds will be fromSouthampton, as BAE rolls out a major downgrade of its operations in Portsmouth.

Shipbuilding at the dockyard will end in the second half of next year in what union bosses have called a “devastating blow” to the local economy.'