WorldCom has confirmed it is to shed 1,000 jobs in Europe - many of them in the UK.

According to the FT the cuts are a continuation of WorldCom's internal merger with UUNet.

WorldCom also said the cuts were as a result of the slackening demand for Internet kit.

The company is also in the process of moving its European HQ from London to Reading in a bid to cut costs.

In a statement the company said: "As a continuation of the integration process of WorldCom and UUNET's European operations, WorldCom plans to reduce its European-based workforce by approximately 1,000 positions.

"This reduction stems from reduced capital expenditure anticipated from the completion of WorldCom's international networks as well as the streamlining of duplicated staff functions in multiple countries."

Earlier this year WorldCom shed some 6,000 jobs in the US and some 1,000 jobs in Europe. Oh well. ®