YESTERDAY was described as a dark day for Swindon, after letters went out to employees of Honda informing them they have been provisionally selected for compulsory redundancy.

It is believed that more than 100 letters have gone out to indirect staff – those who don’t work on the production line – and the mood at the car plant in South Marston is said to be at an all-time low.

Honda has said that the number of compulsory redundancies set to be made is expected to be limited, after a positive response to the voluntary redundancy programme, but a lot of people left work yesterday unsure about their future.

Last week, letters went out to all direct staff to say that they were no longer at risk after the redundancies were taken up by those deciding to accept the voluntary redundancy package.

Meetings will now be held in the next couple of days between the staff who received letters yesterday and Honda to discuss the decision.

A spokesman for Honda said: “I can confirm that letters have gone out to in-direct associates that have been provisionally selected for compulsory redundancy.

“This is all part of the process which is coming to the conclusion over the next week or so.

“Meetings will take place today and tomorrow to discuss the context of the letters.

“As part of the meetings, all options will be considered.”

A Honda employee, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that there was a dark cloud hanging over the company in the town yesterday, with the mood at an all-time low.

There will be no dismissals before the end of the month when Honda will release all the figures and staff being made redundant will be put on gardening leave until then.

Kim Ballamy, director at HUM, said: “Honda would like to thank associates for their ongoing support and hard work during this difficult period.

“It is always sad to lose people from our business but the flexibility shown by all at Honda has enabled us to significantly reduce the number of compulsory redundancies that need to be made.

“These actions help support our long term commitment to car manufacturing in the UK and Europe.”