EVERSHEDS has become the latest big law firm in Manchester to announce job cuts due to the deteriorating economy.

The firm said up to six lawyers could lose their jobs in the city but sources indicated the cull may lead to further redundancies among Eversheds' 375-strong Manchester workforce.

They fear up to 35 redundancies among clerical and support staff and lawyers.

In a statement, Eversheds said: "Like every business in these difficult market conditions, we continue to review our operations.

"The decline in certain sectors, such as mergers and acquisitions, means that we are proposing to make targeted cutbacks in the affected sectors.

"In Manchester this could impact on up to six lawyers. This has been a difficult decision for us to make, however, it is important to put this in context as we will continue to employ 1,300 lawyers in Britain alone."

Hammonds, Halliwells and Cobbetts have previously announced plans to shed jobs.