ESSEX train operator National Express East Anglia is to axe jobs to save cash.

The firm said it was too early to say how many redundancies were on the cards but the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) predicted 314 posts would go including 72 unfilled vacancies.

The association confirmed the plans would include shutting its Norwich call centre - which employs 73 people - and getting rid of its award-winning restaurant service on fast trains to and from London.

The association said it was surprised by the size of the cuts as the company announced just three weeks ago that its rail profits had risen by six per cent this year in East Anglia and by nine per cent UK-wide.

General secretary Gerry Doherty said: “This is a bad blow for the eastern region, which is suffering higher unemployment like all other regions in the country.”

A company spokesman said the firm constantly reviewed its structure and staffing “as any sensible business does”.

“We are undertaking a review to give greater focus on customer service and operational delivery,” she said. “Our people are being fully consulted and the outcomes are being shaped by consultation with trade unions and elected staff representatives.

“While these consultations are taking place, we are unable to confirm the total number affected by the review at this time.”

The spokesman added the restaurants on trains between London Liverpool Street and Norwich via Colchester would be ditched “in response to changing customer needs,” with an improved buffet and snack-cart service replacing them.

Voted the UK’s best three years running by Rail magazine, the nine restaurant cars serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner every weekday, using freshly-cooked ingredients from local farms.