Scottish house builder Springfield to cut up to 70 jobs

Scottish house builder Springfield Properties is to enter a 30-day consultation process with staff about job cuts.

The Elgin-based firm, which directly employs 186 people, is expected to cut around 30% of its workforce.

Springfield is predicting that next year's output will be around 60% of current levels.

Managing director John Main told The Press and Journal: "Although we have managed to stave off the effects of the credit crunch until now we, like the rest of the house building industry, are not immune from this serious decline in the housing market."

Springfield Properties, which operates primarily in north-east Scotland, was established in 1956. It was recognised as Scotland's fastest growing company by the Sunday Times in 2005.