UK shipbuilder Cammell Laird could be about to lay off nearly 100 workers despite landing a big new contract.

Local media said unions have met with bosses to avoid the job losses.

Unite union officer Phil Allman told the Liverpool Echo the company wants to axe 98 people from its workforce of 66, blaming a fall in contracts.

Work is due to start in months, however, on a $307m polar research ship for the UK government.

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