PlusNet has axed a fifth of its workforce - around 20 people - in a restructuring exercise.

Acccording to the Sheffield-based ISP, the job cuts were essential for the future of the business. And automated businesses processes means that some parts of the company were now over staffed.

In a statement Alistair Wyse, Technical Director for PlusNet Technologies, said: "The Internet industry has grown more competitive, with margins getting smaller and smaller.

"Now that we're at a point whereby 98 per cent of our processes are automated, we've found ourselves over-staffed in certain areas of the business.

"The only way to carry the business forward confidently into 2002 is through a measured reorganisation." ®