160 jobs are to go at MBNA in Carrick-on-Shannon in Co Leitrim. The company has told employees it will close its call centre and support operation at the end of November.

However jobs at Avant Card in Carrick-on-Shannon are not affected.

Workers were called into a meeting earlier today about the proposals to close its call centre and support operation.

It is to shut at the end of November with the loss of 160 full-time jobs.

MBNA says this proposal follows a comprehensive review of its customer contact centre operations in Ireland and the UK.

CEO Ian O'Doherty said their business is now UK-focused and serves UK customers - so they are proposing to align their resources to the market in which they operate.

The review looked at a number of potential options for the Carrick-on-Shannon operation, including its potential sale to a third party.

The company says regrettably this was not achievable, so they are proposing to close the operation.

All business will be conducted through its Chester call centre in the UK.