STAFF at an engineering company are the latest victims of the credit crunch as the company culls 25 positions.

Northrop Grumman are planning on shutting their plane navigation repairs branch in Fleming Way, Isleworth, by June this year, with their current customers being re-directed to their California branch.

The move that will affect 25 employees was blamed on the economic downturn affecting the air travel business and therefore the work associated with repairing the equipment used in planes.

A Nothrop Grumman spokesman said: "The company is consulting with each of the employees that may be made redundant. We will be making every effort to ensure that affected employees are given the opportunity to explore options for re-development within other associated parts of the business where suitable vacancies arise."

The company have announced they will be keeping a reduces Field Engineering department which will be based at a new location in the Hounslow area which is yet to be determined.