Ananova:

Union leaders at Rolls-Royce are urging the company to come clean about reports that thousands of jobs are to be axed.

The company has described suggestions that 5,000 workers will be made redundant, mainly at its factory in Derby, as speculation.

Union officials believe the 5,000 figure is an exaggeration but they are trying to seek assurances that jobs are secure.

Tony Tinley, regional officer of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union, said: "We will be urging Rolls-Royce to come clean and state clearly what the future position is for jobs. Our members deserve to know if their jobs are secure."

Union officials say the workforce is still reeling from 3,000 job cuts announced earlier in the year.

The company has reportedly been looking to cut jobs as part of a huge cost-saving plan.