FOUR managers at a North-East crisps factory have been suspended from their posts.

Walkers Snack Foods has taken the action at its plant in Peterlee, east Durham, while it carries out an investigation into the managers' conduct.

The company declined to identify the four or comment on the nature of the inquiry.

A spokeswoman said: "This is a preliminary investigation and no further details are available at this stage."

Walkers employs 430 workers at its Stephenson Road plant, producing the full range of Walkers crisps, apart from Walkers Max and Walkers Lites.

The factory opened in 1960 and last year opened a £5.5m warehouse, creating 45 jobs.