UPDATE 1-Ahlstrom to cut staff as weak demand hits Q4

(Adds details, share price)

HELSINKI, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Finnish fibre materials group Ahlstrom (AHL1V.HE) said on Wednesday it would cut staff, close plants and take a fourth-quarter charge due to weak demand.

The firm said it planned to cut some 210 jobs globally - 60 in Italy through site closures and 150 at other global sites. It also said it was planning to temporarily lay off around 310 staff in Finland.

"The possibility of permanent layoffs cannot be excluded," Ahlstrom said in a statement.

The firm said it would take a charge of 23 million euros ($31.32 million) in the fourth quarter due to the cuts and write downs.

Ahlstrom also said its 2008 underlying operating profit would be around 40 million euros, down from 68 million a year ago, with sales seen up slightly at around 1.8 billion.

Ahlstrom shares dipped on the news, off 3.9 percent at 7.18 euros at 1117 GMT.

(Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)