LONDON - ROLLS-ROYCE, the British maker of plane engines, said on Thursday it anticipated cutting between 1,500 and 2,000 jobs worldwide in 2009, or up to five percent of its global workforce.

'While it is too early to be specific about the precise implications for the number and location of job reductions, the group's current assessment is that in 2009 it will be necessary to implement job reductions... of around 1,500 to 2,000 on a worldwide basis.'

Rolls Royce employs 39,000 people globally, with 60 per cent of its staff working in Britain.