OVER 1,300 jobs at Fords, Dagenham and Southampton will go with a further 1,000 in jeopardy reports the BBC.
And the bleak news could have a major impact in Thurrock, with a large number of households affected.
The Southampton van factory will close next summer and the stamping plant at Dagenham, Essex, will shut, with union sources saying the job losses could reach 2,000.
Reports suggest the closures will happen next summer.
Ford will not make an official announcement on its UK plans until lunchtime on Thursday.
Last month, the US car giant said its European operations could suffer losses of $1bn (£630m) this year.
More to follow including local reaction.
