SURVEILLANCE cameras which were installed in a North-East factory's toilet blocks - prompting more than 1,000 workers at the site to threaten industrial action - were last night removed.

The Northern Echo revealed earlier this week how CCTV cameras had been put in all the toilets at the ThyssenKrupp Automotive (TKA) Tallent Chassis plant, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, in a move that was branded an "horrendous breach of privacy".

The firm - which said it had installed the cameras after several incidents of vandalism in the toilets - initially agreed to suspend the use of cameras until September 3, pending a review.

However, unions said the cameras were "completely unacceptable" and warned industrial or legal action against TKA Tallent was being considered by the 1,300 workers if the CCTV system was not removed.

The Northern Echo can now reveal that TKA Tallent last night relented and removed all the cameras from the plant, in a move that was welcomed by unions and workers.

Ian Davies, regional officer for the Amicus section of the Unite union, said earlier this week the installation of the cameras was a breach of employees' privacy, and criticised TKA Tallent for its lack of consultation over the matter.

Last night, he said: "As far as I am concerned, common sense has prevailed. To install cameras in toilets really is a horrendous breach of privacy. We await internal discussions over the future situation, as we cannot condone any form of vandalism, and look forward to it being discussed in an open and transparent forum."

The factory is on "shut-down" this week, but it is understood a meeting will be held with staff on Monday.

One worker, who asked not to be named, said: "This is really good news. I think it's safe to say that every person was very upset and angry. We're on shut-down, but it'll be very welcome news to return to."

No one from TKA Tallent was available for comment last night.