The dust has settled after last week's shock announcement of job losses at Westland Helicopters - and it is clear there will be no quick fix.

About 600 jobs will go at Yeovil and a further 350 at the Weston-super-Mare facility, which will be shut completely.

The news, officially announced on Thursday of last week, stunned the workforce and the Yeovil business community.

Talks between management and union representatives are underway as part of the 90-day consultation period, and both parties are hoping to bring mandatory redundancies as low as possible.

MP David Laws was dealt a blow on Monday when defence minister Lewis Moonie said the government had no current need for further work from Westland.

Mr Laws raised the issue during a debate in parliament, asking: "Can the minister confirm that his department will take every possible action to ensure that aircraft orders are brought forward in a timely way"?

Mr Moonie replied: "The Apache helicopter contract has peaked and the last machines are now being delivered. And we, therefore, have no current need for a further work from the company."

Mr Laws will make renewed attempts at the highest level and has been promised an audience with the Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, in the very near future.

On the day after the announcement by Westland, Mr Laws called to a press conference at LibDem headquarters in Yeovil.

Much of what was said at that press conference is covered in the Yeovil MP's column on another page in this paper.

One factor that does deserve deserve a closer look, however, is the setting up of a taskforce with short and medium-term aims, which could lead to the creation of Yeovil Innovation and Technology Centre.

The centre would provide integrated support for business start-ups, but is unlikely to materialise unless money can be received from the government and the European Union.

The taskforce is made up of representatives of Westland, South Somerset District Council, Somerset County Council, Careerfinder and the South West of England Regional Development Agency. Business Link (Somerset) and Yeovil College have been invited to take part.

Reaction from the community:

"The trade unions will work with the company to avoid compulsory job losses. We are disappointed that the numbers are so high - but every avenue will be pursued by the unions on site to protect our members' jobs."

The company must recognise the potential loss of skills and experience. It is in all our interests to protect the long-term future of AgustaWestland."

Joint statement by the MSF and AEEU unions.

"This is a blow not only to each individual affected, but also to the South Somerset economy. The district council, along with its partners, will do that it can to help people find alternative employment and to support families."

Tim Carroll, leader of South Somerset District Council.

"I am naturally extremely worried about the impact of these job losses on the individual families and the local economy. The county council will be working very closely with all the agencies to minimise the impact of this news."

Cathy Bakewell, leader of Somerset County Council.

"This is a devastating blow to the town and my heart goes out to all the employees affected and their families. Yeovil Town Council will be working together with other local authorities and organisations in the area to encourage businesses to develop in and around the town.

"Westland has proved itself over the years to be a world leader and, despite today's announcement of redundancies, we hope the company will continue to be successful and further develop its operations in Yeovil."

Bridget Dollard, Mayor of Yeovil.

"The taskforce, whilst naturally very concerned about the present situation, welcomes the positive approach being taken by Westland in its restructuring, which is seen as the means by which the long-term viability of its Yeovil operation can be secured."

Clive Miller, Economy, tourism and arts development manager for South Somerset District Council.