AXA insurance workers are facing redundancy after they were told 20 roles will be transferred to offices 170 miles away in Birmingham.

The French firm confirmed 59 roles are at risk across three offices, including 30 in Tunbridge Wells. The other offices are in Haverhill and Birmingham.

While some of the roles may be deployed, 20 jobs in the Kent branch are transferring to Birmingham, with one role transferring to Gloucester and another to Bolton.

AXA revealed this week they have begun the consultation process and are hoping to have it completed by December.

While the consultation impacts staff in Tunbridge Wells it is not linked to the relocation of the motor claims operation team to Birmingham in November 2016.

The move is part of a “wider transformation programme” in the claims team across a number of sites.

A spokesman said: “As part of our efforts to modernise our claims function we have had to take some tough decisions and, unfortunately, after consulting with unions and management, 59 roles are being placed at risk of redundancy.

“However, 26 of these roles are likely to be redeployed to other offices and 33 new roles will be created as part of the changes.

“This move does not impact AXA PPP staff based in Tunbridge Wells and we will look to redeploy staff to our healthcare team if possible.

“We have begun talking to impacted employees and the consultation process will be concluded by the start of December.”