A Ford worker who survived the Dagenham redundancies 10 years ago hopes to secure a new job in the engine plant.

Stamping plant employee Eric Barzey, 47, faces redundancy but expects to fill a position left vacant by the engine factory workers who are nearing retirement at Dagenham.

Ford management is to offer early retirement packages to its employees about to reach retirement age in an attempt to minimise job losses.

However, Eric may have to take a pay cut in the process.

Mr Barzey, of Canning Town, said: “I’m on about �35,000. It could be �30,000 or a little bit less.

“You don’t want to go to a pay cut. When the car assembly plant shut I got a pay rise.

“I’ve worked for the company for 25 years. I’ve got a mortgage. No one has got any great expectations.”