NEGOTIATIONS are continuing between union officials and bosses at a factory where 60 workers are facing redundancy.

Thirty-six employees from Mono Containers, in Durham, said they would consider voluntary redundancy.

Gerry Hunter, a regional officer for the Amicus union, met workers and bosses to discuss the losses.

He said: "We think we will know in the next two weeks whether we are going to get any more volunteers.

"The idea is to let people find another job so they are in a position where they are not forced into redundancy. We wish them the best of luck in those circumstances.

"We are trying to reduce wherever possible the need for compulsory redundancies.

"People need to ask themselves questions about their own circumstances."

Machinery on the site is being moved into a warehouse while the company condenses its operations.

It is the second blow to the company and comes after 35 people were laid off at the end of last year.

The company said the cost-cutting was a result of losing a contract with German yogurt company Muller.

Mono Containers' chief executive Mike Davey said the company wanted to keep making containers in Durham and wanted to keep compulsory redundancies to a minimum.

Part of the site, at Dragonville Industrial Estate, Gilesgate, is being turned into retail units, which developers hope will create 200 jobs.