STAFF at crisis-hit Agilent reacted with shock today after the bombshell news that the Suffolk arm of hi-tech firm is shedding 200 jobs.Employees looked gloomy and disillusioned as they arrived today at the fibre optic company's site on the Whitehouse Road Industrial Estate.

STAFF at crisis-hit Agilent reacted with shock today after the bombshell news that the Suffolk arm of hi-tech firm is shedding 200 jobs.

Employees looked gloomy and disillusioned as they arrived today at the fibre optic company's site on the Whitehouse Road Industrial Estate.

Father of three Mel Parrish, 43, of Spenser Road, Ipswich, said: "I am gutted. We were told yesterday afternoon and there will be meetings about it today. From there I expect there will be voluntary redundancies."

Mr Parrish has worked for the company for 11 years in applications – dealing with customers and helping them with problems and advice.

Asked what the future will hold for him, he said: "I think I am looking at a change of career. I was a carpenter before and will probably end up going back into the trade.

"The news was quite a shock, especially as there are so many jobs involved. As far as I know there will only be 50 heads left and that won't be here.

"I have enjoyed working for the company and they have been good to work for and helped me retrain."

He said workers were told in a meeting at 1.40pm yesterday.

Staff were still trying to digest the news as they arrived at the gates to work.

One said: "I have only just come in so I don't know what's going on, but it was a shock."