FIFTY on-board catering jobs are to be lost at National Express East Coast (NXEC) as part of a cost cutting exercise which will see 750 posts axed by its parent company.

The train firm said the move was aimed at ensuring it met the changing needs of its customers.

As a result voluntary redundancy packages were being offered to the affected staff.

Parent company National Express confirmed it was cutting 750 jobs by the end of next year in a bid to save £15m annually.

National Express - which has interests in long distance coach travel and local bus services as well as running the East Coast and East Anglia rail franchises - said a review of staffing would focus on support services and administration across all its UK businesses.

Despite tougher economic conditions, passenger numbers on the East Coast Mainline have increased by one million in the last year, while revenues grew by nine per cent.

Brian Brock, a regional organiser with the TSSA union, which represents management, clerical and ticket office staff, claimed staffing at the East Coast franchise had already been cut through the bone.

NXEC employs about 3,000 people across the entire franchise, including 400 people at its headquarters in York and up to 200 staff at its Newcastle based call centre.

Mr Brock said he did not know if further jobs would be lost, but said a number of cuts had already been made.

He said: "As people leave they are not replacing staff and in a number of locations our members are at breaking point.

"They are cutting travel centre staff and trying to force passengers to use fast ticket machines when the evidence shows people just don't like them.

"They are now worried that the recession will hit long distance travel.

"The problem is that when you keep poking people - our members - in the eye, sooner or later they will get up and poke you back."

An NXEC spokesman said: "While cautious about the economic prospects going forward, we are taking the initiative to reduce costs across our UK operations and counteract any slowdown in growth.

"We are doing this to be well-placed for the challenges of the year ahead and will continue to focus on our customers, delivering excellent service they expect at competitive prices."