THE former Accrington brickworks hailed earlier this year as ‘a sign of the improving economy’ by David Cameron is set to make workers redundant.

Forterra, the maker of ‘Nori’ brick has confirmed it is set to cut up to 15 jobs at its site in Whinney Hill Road, Altham.

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Bosses have blamed the decision on an ‘excess inventory and a slower than expected increase in demand for extruded bricks’.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said the news was worrying and showed the Government was failing to improve the economy.

Mr Jones said: “I’m really concerned about the 15 individuals and I hope everything is being done to secure alternative employment for them.

“Christmas is an awful time to receive notice of redundancy.

“It’s a worry that housebuilding is beginning to slow down and there is a considerable surplus of bricks building up which reflects on the whole economy. “We’re starting to see rising interest rates from the Federal Bank and I think questions need to be asked of the Government, particularly in view of the fact that David Cameron visited the brickworks and made a song and dance about increasing brick produce linked to economic success.”

A worker, who did not want to be named, said production staff were called in to a meeting and told that they were facing redundancy.

They said staff were told individuals would be selected based on the results of a skills test and that 12 of the 24 production staff would be effected.

He also claimed that there was a surplus of 25 million unsold bricks on the yard.

George Stewart, operations director at Forterra said: “A combination of excess inventory and a slower than expected increase in demand for extruded bricks, in the second half of this year, has led us to a period of consultation with our staff at our Accrington brickworks. “A final outcome is not yet defined and we are doing our very best to protect as many positions as possible. Job losses will not exceed 15 and we will aim to find alternative roles within the business for some of these people. This levelling out would see staff numbers return to those at the beginning of the year.

“Accrington remains an important site for the business and we will continue to invest in UK manufacturing as a whole.”

The company produces Accrington Nori bricks, which are world famous for their strength, having been used to build the foundations of the Blackpool Tower.

The brickworks had closed in 2008 but production was officially re-started by the PM in January when he hailed the re-opening as a sign that the ‘economic recovery’ was coming to East Lancashire.

There are currently 54 employees at the brickworks.