WORKERS at Lancaster factory were left reeling this week after bosses laid off 70 staff. Standfast on Caton Road, a printers and dryers of furnishing fabrics, said that "extremely tough trading conditions" were to blame for the job cuts. The latest blow to the local economy follows in the wake of job losses at Career Apparel and Souplex and a recent council report which highlighted that the district has the highest unemployment in the county.

"The staff saw it coming but it's hit everyone hard all the same," said a Standfast insider.

"A lot of people are unhappy about the way they were told. The night shift didn't know what was happening. Some of the workers have been there more than 20 years and were just waiting to be assessed so they can decide who stays and who goes."

Mr Richard Stanford, chief executive at Courtaulds, which owns Standfast, said: "Given that orders are projected to continue at the present depressed level for the foreseeable future we have no option but to take action. While I very much regret the proposed job losses I do believe this restructuring will give us the opportunity to compete effectively in our chosen market."

He added that over the coming months there will be full consultation about the job-cutting proposals with the recognised unions. The drop in sales was said to be because of a fashion trend away from printed fabrics and the strong pound abroad. Lancaster city council is hoping to secure assisted area status for the district because of the high levels of deprivation and unemployment.

Morecambe's MP, Geraldine Smith, spoke with Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo Molam, on Wednesday in a bid to boost the district's economy following the province's peace deal. Ms Smith has asked for a meeting with Irish politicians to discuss trade between Belfast and the Port of Heysham.

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