CABLE firm ntl says it expects to come out of Chapter 11 status "in the very near future".

The US parent of ntl filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year after mounting debts of £12bn.

The company, which has its regional headquarters at Preston Farm Business Park, in Stockton, has already cut 8,000 jobs over the past two years and plans to axe a further 250 across the country.

It has said the additional cuts will be in "tens and thirties" across all operations and all locations.

The group plans to become two businesses - ntl UK and Ireland and ntl Euroco.