ONE of Rossendale’s biggest employers is making 80 people redundant because of mounting problems caused by the credit crunch.

Bacup-based kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture manufacturer JJO said the cuts were due to the dramatic downturn in the housing market which has affected sales.

The company, which employs 420 people, has written to all employees to explain the position and is hopeful that the bulk of the redundancies will be voluntary.

Managing director Stephen Greenhalgh said: “The market conditions are dire — the worst for a generation.

“New house building is at a standstill, property prices are falling, which impacts on the home improvement market, and consumers are increasingly nervous about committing to projects.”