DEVASTATED workers at the factory reacted with shock and many burst into tears following an announcement that they were all to lose their jobs.

And they claimed that the closure would kill the economy of Accrington.

Bosses at the company, in Pickup Street, yesterday told the workforce that the work would go abroad to places such as Romania because it was more economical.

Yesterday the security gates were closed and a guard said he had been told not to speak to the press.

Colette Sims, 55, of Wordsworth Road, Colne, who has worked there for 13 years and is also a senior steward for the GMB union, said: "There have been a lot of rumours about but we wouldn't expect a total shutdown and in such a short space of time. About 550 people work here.

"Whole families -- husbands, wives, daughters and sons -- work here. It is just devastating and it is going to have a devastating effect on the economy. I don't hold out much hope of getting another job at my age." Deputy steward of the GMB Denise Pye, 39, of Oswald Street, Accrington, has been told she will finish on September 22.

Denise, who has been employed at the company for eight years and is married with three children said: "Nearly everyone has been in tears. Even senior management were crying when they told us the news.

"One who has worked there for 23 years said it was the worst day of her life."

Gwendoline Gallagher, 46, of Edleston Street, Accrington, who has worked at the firm for five years, battled to keep back the tears but said: "I am devastated.

"I will have to get another job but there are going to be a lot of people finishing at the same time and it will be difficult.

"It will kill Accrington. Everyone from here is in town on Friday spending their wages there."

Factory floor worker Frances Clayton, 33, of Lonsdale Street, Accrington, said: "We were told that work is going abroad to factories in Romania and Egypt because it is cheaper.