NINETEEN jobs are under threat in a move to close a gun testing site in Ridsdale, which has defined the village’s character since the 19th century.

Defence contractor BAE Systems has announced that by the end of this year it will close its gun testing range at The Steel, where munitions test firings have been carried out since 1870.

The move comes as part of the company’s plans to create a more efficient service amid Ministry of Defence (MoD) cutbacks.

A spokesman for BAE Systems said the company was trying to streamline its operations by focusing on its bigger sites, such as its major testing and evaluation site in Bishopton, near Glasgow.

Employees in Ridsdale affected include 15 permanent staff and four contractors, and talks are said to be taking place about whether staff can be transferred to a different site, before redundancies are made.

The gun testing range was once owned by Victorian industrialist William Armstrong, and was used to proof test large gun barrels from battleships and cruisers which were built by Vickers Armstrong in Elswick, Newcastle.

The village pub, which was also owned by Lord Armstrong, bears the name the Gun Inn in recognition of the area’s connection with the arms industry.

The closure of the Ridsdale site, now operated by BAE Systems’ Land (UK) division, comes after last week’s announcment that 2,000 jobs would be lost in its military, maritime and intelligence services.

Unions have argued that cuts to UK defence companies are being caused by more contracts being handed to US firms, and the MoD increasing pressure on UK companies to provide a competitive service.

A spokesman for BAE Systems said: “BAE Systems Land (UK) is transforming its business to provide more competitive products and services.

“As part of this process, we have reviewed our extensive portfolio of sites to focus on areas of growth and remove duplication.

“We will seek to minimise the impact on individual members of the team at Ridsdale and relocate roles where possible.”