MORE than 60 staff at a North-East factory outlet shopping mall have lost their jobs after the centre mysteriously closed its doors yesterday.

Workers arriving at Jackson's Landing in Hartlepool were told they no longer had jobs and notices were put on doors saying the store was closed until further notice.

Vans and trucks also arrived at the store, on the town's marina, and staff cleared stock into the vehicles.

This is the second time in two years the development has run into trouble.

About 18 months ago, the complex, then known as The Designer Room, went into into receivership after falling profits threatened its closure.

Italian businessman Marino Roberto, who owns Prohibition London, stepped in and vowed to return the shopping mall to its former glory.

He started by renaming it Jackson's Landing.

However, yesterday neither Mr Roberto nor anybody from Prohibition was able to shed light on why the store had closed.

One angry woman, who did not wish to be named, had travelled to the store after receiving a phone call from her sister who had been made redundant.

The woman said: "My sister was turned away and told she had lost her job.

"There was no mention of it on Thursday. She has been in tears all morning.

"I am angry for her and have come to try and find out what is going on."

Complex manager Carol Finney refused to comment. Other stores in the country owned by Prohibition are still open and it is only the Hartlepool one which has been affected.

Hartlepool Borough Council officials, who were unaware of the decision, are in the early stages of looking for a new use for the outlet.

Stuart Green, the council's assistant director (planning and economic development), said: "We are extremely disappointed by this news and we are trying to contact the company to find out the exact situation.

"Naturally, we will do whatever we can to help those people who may have lost their jobs to find other employment. We will be very keen to work with the owners of Jackson's Landing and any other interested parties to help find a viable new use for the building."

A spokesman from the North-East Chamber of Commerce said: "We always regret when any shop ceases trading. It is a great pity."