A RADCLIFFE textiles company is to axe 90 of its 210-strong workforce with a decision to cease manufacturing.

The jobs at Bury Road-based Unified Dyed Yarns, formerly Intex Yarns, will go later this month to coincide with the closure of the company's texturing plant.

Mr Steven Goodman, branch secretary of the T&GWU, who is involved in talks with the management, said: "Yarn manufacturing is to cease and it will be sent over to Ireland, although we will continue with dyeing operations here.

"The 90 people affected are just waiting for this to happen. The mood of the workforce is one of apathy."

During the past few months, the American-owned company has introduced short term working for some of its staff. "These job losses will be the first lay-off we've had here in 20 years," stressed Mr Goodman.

"In my talks with the management, I'm trying to get some better terms and conditions for those staying and those who are leaving.

"We know there is nothing we can do about stopping the redundancies. It's a bit of nightmare."

The Radcliffe business became part of its USA parent company Unifi just over a year ago.

Worldwide Unifi is making 750 redundancies, the equivalent of 12.5 per cent of its workforce, because of projected lower consumer demand for apparel, home furnishings and automotives.

The business says the redundancies will reduce costs and restore profitability against a climate of continued pressure from imports.

Mr Christopher Sheelan, health and safety and training manager at Radcliffe, said: "As previously stated to our employees, it is our intention to keep them all informed of our re-structuring and consolidation plans and to this end meetings arranged with various groups, including union officials and shop stewards, are ongoing."