Zurich is to cut 300 jobs and relocate up to 100 more at its Eagle Star Direct offices in Bournemouth.

The changes will take effect from March 31 2003. A spokesman said: "This has been announced this afternoon to staff. We are now in a consultation period with staff and unions on who will be offered redundancies and who will be relocated."

He added the cuts would have a knock on effect on their call centres in Fareham and Newcastle. The insurer blamed the "fiercely competitive" personal lines market, in particular the motor sector for the decision.

He added that this would have no effect on the broker channel.

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