The Archbishop of York has expressed his concern over the huge job losses that York has suffered over the last year as firms in the city have together announced more than 1,600 job cuts in the last year alone.

Dr John Sentamu has responded to the job cuts by announcing plans to write to the heads of the firms with the appeal to consider the human cost of unemployment, the BBC reported.

His announcement comes after Nestle announced a further 645 jobs in York would go after previously axing 234 jobs in the city.

York has also been hit by job cuts in the past year by Aviva, which owns Norwich Union, Terry's and British Sugar.

Dr Sentamu said: "My hope is that these companies realise that for each single job loss they announce, there is a family or an individual facing the potential misery of financial insecurity.

"Inward investment in the region is always welcome, and assurances of increased levels of investment are signs of hope.

"However for those skilled, manufacturing workers there are not always newly created skilled manufacturing jobs to be found."

Dr Sentamu said he wanted to express his concerns for the firms' remaining workforces as well as his wish for greater levels of investment in the future.

He said he hoped "the full human cost of these job losses remains at the forefront of any further decisions with regard to these industries in York".

The City of York has set up a redundancy support group in connection with Yorkshire Forward, JobCentre Plus, York College and other agencies to offer advice and support for those needing new skills or qualifications to get back into employment.