Energy company Centrica will cut 25 North Sea jobs in Aberdeen.

The firm is reducing the size of its exploration and production division in a move which will also cost 24 jobs in Morecambe, Lancashire.

North Sea exploration has fallen to a record low as a result of the oil downturn.

A Centrica spokesman said: "After a full consultation with our people, we have taken the difficult but necessary decision to reduce the number of roles in our exploration and production team.

"We want to maximise the potential of our North Sea and Morecambe Bay assets and over several months have been working hard to find new ways of operating and finalising the structure of our business to make that happen.

"We recognise that this represents difficult news for our employees who may be affected. Our priority now is to support all those impacted."

Following the cuts, Centrica will employ just over 300 people in Aberdeen.

About 120,000 people whose jobs were linked to the oil and gas industry in the UK are thought to have been made redundant since the slump began in early 2014.

Companies including Shell, BP, Talisman, Wood Group and Schlumberger have made significant cuts since the value of a barrel of oil plunged from a high of $110 in June 2014 to under $30.

The price now sits at around $55 but a lack of investment threatens the future of the North Sea.