DEFENCE firm QinetiQ has a special place in the hearts of Malvern people – and not just because it is the town’s single biggest employer.

The firm – and more importantly its civil service predecessors – has been part of the fabric of life in Malvern for almost 70 years.

So the announcement of 230 job losses with the threat of more to come is a huge blow to the town.

There has been a defence-based research and development facility in the town since 1942 when the government’s Telecommunications Research Establishment, tasked with developing the RAF’s application of radar, was moved to Malvern College before relocating to a former naval training college.

And it has been in the town ever since in a variety of guises.

Many of our readers will remember it as the Royal Radar Establishment or the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment.

Scientists at the Malvern site have been responsible for historic developments in radar, thermal imaging and liquid crystal displays.

After a series of name changes and mergers with other Ministry of Defence establishments, the Malvern site was privatised in 2001 and became QinetiQ.

A controversial stock market flotation in 2006 was later found to have cost taxpayers tens of millions of pounds.

Last month the firm reacted to a dip in profits with a warning that it planned to cut its operating costs by 10 per cent.

That meant job losses and Malvern has been hit the hardest. Union leaders fear a further review of the company later this year could lead to a third of the workforce going in the town.

Yesterday was a bad day for Malvern and the people who work for its biggest employer.

We implore local politicians to do all they can to prevent further job losses and to help those facing redundancy find new employment as soon as possible.