London - Indian-owned steel giant Corus is set to axe a further 2,000 jobs in Britain following a slump in demand, it was reported Thursday.

The new cuts would be in addition to 2,500 job losses announced in January, said the reports.

The company, a subsidiary of India's Tata Steel, Thursday refused to confirm the job losses, which were described as "devastating" by British trade unions.

"We have concerns for the integrity of the British steel industry - we fear its further erosion could fundamentally undermine UK manufacturing," said a spokesman for the Community union.

Reports said three British sites were expected to be affected.

In January, Corus announced a series of cost-cutting measures, including 3,500 worldwide job cuts.

Corus, Europe's second-largest steel company, has major production sites in Britain and the Netherlands. It employs around 42,000 staff worldwide, about half of those in Britain. (dpa)