THE fate of 160 workers at a Teesside cosmetics packaging factory was sealed last night after the site's closure was confirmed.

RPC Beaute revealed in July that it was considering closing its operation in Thornaby to consolidate its business in mainland Europe, where it has a strong presence in Germany, Italy and Turkey.

The company said the factory failed to yield sustained profit, despite continued investment since it bought the site in 1999, and that its customer base was decreasing rapidly.

However, although a 90-day consultation with unions was launched, the company said it was considering other options, and that the jobs of its 160-strong workforce could be saved.

But last night, RPC Beaute told staff the site would close in the coming weeks. The news was described as a bombshell by employees, who had hoped for a reprieve.

Plant manager Michael Stegeman said: "The Thornaby operation has been in decline for many years and, despite efforts, it has not been possible to bring the site into sustainable profit nor achieve a level of performance that would justify further investment in a rapidly-declining local market.

"A number of ideas were raised during the consultation period, however, none has been identified that would enable Thornaby to make a sustainable profit.

"It is therefore with regret that the proposal to close the Thornaby site is confirmed.

"Over the coming weeks, a planned closedown of the site will happen."

One worker at the site, on the Dukesway Industrial Estate, who asked not to be named, said: "Even though we were warned this might happen in July, it is still a shock because there was always that hope it might not close. It's a bombshell to be told you're losing your job."

The site manufactures make-up compacts and lipstick containers for companies such as Boots, Proctor and Gamble and Max Factor.