Falling demand for CRT-based televisions is being blamed for the loss of up to 650 jobs in South Wales.

Media giant Sony announced the cutbacks at two of its TV manufacturing facilities this week.

The Japanese firm blamed the cutbacks on the growth in flat panel televisions, at the expense of CRT-based sets.

Two sites will be affected by the cuts, with 400 jobs lost in Bridgend and 250 lost in Pencoed. The Bridgend site is expected to close completely.

In January Sony announced the loss of 300 jobs in Bridgend, a process again laid at the door of flat panel screens.

At the time the firm said it would be able to continue production in South Wales because of demand for CRTs from Eastern Europe.