CONSUMER products giant Unilever is axing 70 jobs at its Port Sunlight research base.

The move comes as part of a global restructure the company says will ultimately secure the jobs of hundreds of scientists at the Wirral site.

The company is reshaping its global research and development (R&D) structure, merging three separate businesses into one.

That means the number of staff employed at Unilever’s historic Port Sunlight base will fall from 815 to 745. But the company says its decision to name Port Sunlight as one of its six key global research centres shows its commitment to future investment in the site.

Mike Parkington, Unilever’s head of laboratory at Port Sunlight, said the company would try to keep compulsory redundancies to a minimum.

He said: “Although we already have a strong innovation pipeline, we are driving harder than ever to increase our competitiveness.

“The changes we are making to our organisational structure will enable us to more efficiently deliver improved product performance to our consumers, and at the same time underline the importance of Port Sunlight as a strategic R&D centre for Unilever.

“But we recognise that this is a very sensitive time for some and will work closely with employees and their representatives to ensure that we provide all the necessary support and help.”