ONE of the North-East's biggest car parts plants is to close, putting 200 jobs in jeopardy.

The Calsonic Kansei factory in Shildon, County Durham, will shut down in the summer. Production of car heaters will move to a sister plant in Washington, Tyne and Wear, or move overseas.

Falling sales leading to significant losses are blamed for the closure.

If the switch to Washington goes ahead most of the Shildon employees will be offered a transfer.

Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster last night pledged to fight to keep the jobs in the region.

But union leader Davey Hall fears the battle is already lost.

He said: "I think it is despicable that the company isn't prepared to make forthright announcements about the future of its workers.

"We need stronger laws to prevent employers like this from upping sticks."

Dave Pallas, president of Calsonic Kansei Europe, said a decision on where the Shildon production will go was still to be made.

"Calsonic Kansei Group is investigating a number of options for future manufacturing or products currently manufactured in the Shildon site," he said.

"Inevitably this will lead to job losses, although the company will endeavour to retain as many employees as possible in sites located within its European operations."

A Shildon worker, who asked not to be named, said: "We were told that even if we move to Washington, 26 of the 203 jobs will go.

"There have been rumours for three months but we couldn't get any answers."

Almost all the Shildon workers live within five miles of the former railway town.

Councillor Kester Noble, lead member for regeneration on Sedgefield Borough Council, said: "This is disappointing news for the employees at the firm and their families and for the town of Shildon because of the loss of local manufacturing jobs."