ALMOST 50 jobs are at risk at a pharmaceutical company.

Recipharm has confirmed plans to axe 48 jobs at its site in Holmes Chapel.

Workers were informed they could become unemployed in the run-up to Christmas.

READ > 'No excuse' for potholes on Cheshire roads not to be fixed says MP

Consultation with employees at the London Road inhalation manufacturing base earlier this month.

The site employs 403 people.

The company acknowledges it is ‘a difficult time’ for staff to face uncertainty but says the cuts are necessary ‘to remain competitive’.

A spokesman for Recipharm said: “Earlier this month, we started a period of consultation with employees at our site in Holmes Chapel.

“As part of this consultation, 48 roles are at risk.

“We have carried out a review of our site and we need to adjust our operating model, to remain competitive in a challenging global market.

“We remain committed to operating in the UK and Holmes Chapel is a key site.

“We are acutely aware that this is a difficult time for our colleagues, and we are doing everything we can to support them, including consulting both collectively and individually.

“Currently, 403 colleagues work at the site.”

The Holmes Chapel facility specialises in the manufacturing of metered dose inhalers, dry power inhalers and nasal sprays.

The company has sites in 10 countries including Germany, Italy, America, France and Spain.

Headquarters is based in Sweden