Diageo PLC said it plans to move its Guinness brewing operations from London to Dublin, with the loss of around 90 jobs.

The move will result in the closure of the Park Royal brewery in West London during the summer of 2005.

Gerry O'Hagan, Supply Director for Diageo's UK & Ireland brewing business said: "A major review of our brewing business in UK & Ireland has shown very clearly that the best option for the future would be to consolidate our production for the GB market into Ireland.

"Our Dublin brewery already produces the equivalent of some eight million kegs of guinness every year for distribution to international markets including Europe and the US.

"With some additional investment in technology St James's Gate could absorb the four million equivalent kegs currently produced at Park Royal."

Diageo said it will now enter a full consultation process with the representatives of those Diageo employees at Park Royal.