Saga is set to slash around around 300 jobs as a result of the impact on its business of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The firm, which is headquartered in Folkestone and has a call centre in Thanet, has been hit hard by the crisis which saw its cruise ship operations suspended in March.

The company, which specialises in holidays and insurance to the over-50s is one of the county's biggest employers.

It is believed today's decision forms part of an on-going wider review of the company which began last year.

In June, the company confirmed it had to refund £44million to customers after its cruise ship holidays had to be cancelled due to travel restrictions to help stop the spread of the virus.

It also confirmed it has undertaken "a review of costs within the travel business" in order to lessen the impact.

It said that was "expected to lead to a £20m in-year cost reduction over and above other savings".

A spokesperson for Saga said: “As part of our ongoing focus on improving efficiency within the business and against the backdrop of the continued suspension of travel due to Covid-19, we have started a process that will see a number of colleagues leave Saga.

"We appreciate this will be a difficult time for all of our colleagues and are focused on ensuring they receive all the support they need.”

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