SPECULATION surrounds up to 110,000 jobs at a global computer giant that has bases in Hampshire, according to a report.

It has been reported that Robert Cringely, a US technology blogger, disclosed details of an unconfirmed report on the website Forbes.com that 110,000 jobs will be axed by IBM, which has two offices in Hampshire.

It means an uncertain time for employees of its centres in Lakeside North Harbour, Portsmouth and in Hursley near Winchester.

A large number of posts will be cut in the company's home country of the USA, but offices in other locations are also likely to suffer job losses, according to the report.

The blogger wrote: “ “To fix its business problems and speed up its 'transformation' … about 26% of IBM's employees will be getting phone calls from their managers. A few hours later a package will appear on their doorsteps with all the paperwork. Project chrome will hit many of the worldwide services operations,” Cringely wrote.

“The USA will be hit hard, but so will other locations. IBM's contractors can expect regular furloughs in 2015. One in four IBMers reading this column will probably start looking for a new job next week. Those employees will all be gone by the end of February.”

IBM has yet to confirm or deny the Mr Cringely's claims.

The firm, known as Big Blue for its once-ubiquitous corporate logo, has struggled to make the shift from manufacturing computers and microchips to cloud computing.

It follows chief executive Ginni Rometty, last week reporting quarterly profits below analysts forecasts and an 11th quarter of plummeting revenues.

The Daily Echo has made attempts to contact IBM.