SIXTY-six jobs are under threat at a manufacturing firm after bosses blamed winding country roads leading to its factory for harming business.

Contrast Upholstery has announced plans to move its workforce from Sabden to Preston due to the poor infastructure in the village.

As part of a restructuring of the firm the 66-strong workforce in Sabden is to be offered the chance to relocate.

This would mean that workers would have to travel 20 miles to Preston and unions have said this will probably result in job losses.

However, Contrast said there would be no compulsory redundancies and any job losses would be because people did not want to travel to Preston.

Traders and residents have said the closure of the Sabden site would damage the village.

The firm wants to move its Sabden operations to Preston because of the age of the factory and its remote location.

It said that it was difficult for its lorries to manoeuvre around the village.

They were hampered further by 7.5 tonne weight restrictions on nearby roads.

The company conducted a review into its operations after securing a new lease for a site at the Preston docklands.

This review concluded that "due to the age and location of the premises, together with local highway restrictions in respect of HGVs etc, the Sabden facility is no longer viable."

Peter Sherlicker, spokesman for Contrast, said workers would be offered travel assistance to help with the move, the final details of which had not been confirmed.

He added the move would take place in August.

Mr Sherlicker said: "It is quite difficult getting 40ft vehicles through Sabden.

"The initial meetings so far have gone ok and there are jobs for the affected staff at Preston.

"Contrast will continue to operate.

"We are optimistic we will be able to keep the majority of staff.

"If anybody leaves it will be because they do not want to travel to Preston."

Contrast Upholstery is located at Cobden Mill in Whalley Road, which has a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes.

It is part of the Tetrad Group, which employs about 500 people and is based in Preston.

Barry Montgomery, of the GMB union, said he was waiting for further information about the move and would be having more talks with management today.

He said: "The issue is that many of the workers live in the Burnley and Sabden areas so may not want to have to travel to Preston for work so that could lead to redundancies."

Ginny Capstick, 54, owner of Village News Off Licence and Post Office, Whalley Road said Contrast workers often bought confectionery, cigarettes, newspapers and scratchcards.

She added: "I get a lot of people from there in and it will be a big pain when they leave as they are good customers.

"I was talking to a couple of lads who work there and they are gutted.

"They are saying they do not want to travel."

Housewife, Maria Hoyle, 40, who lives opposite the factory in Whalley Road, said HGVs could only access the village by travelling from Whalley along Whalley Road.

She said: "I am sorry it is closing, I like the fact that there is industry in the village.

"It means there is people about during the day who contribute to the village.

"It is a question of whether people want to travel to Preston."

Gordon Ormerod, 69, of Whalley Road, added: "I would say it is bad news for the village.

"There will be people working there who live here and will not want to travel."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said a weight restriction was imposed in Whalley Road in 1979 which was amended to the 7.5 tonne limit in 1983.

He added: "The reason for the limit is to discourage heavy vehicles using the road.

"There is an exception which allows for deliveries and access."