An electronics company is investigating allegations that one of its suppliers is employing illegal immigrants in the North-East.

Samsung plans to hold an emergency meeting in the next few days with Hartlepool firm Woo One, a Korean-owned business that provides the company with computer casings.

It follows allegations that a London employment agency has been shipping Chinese immigrants to the region with false work permits and identities and placing them in jobs at Woo One.

Samsung, which has a manufacturing plant at Wynyard, near Billingham, wants to meet bosses at the firm, to discover if claims that immigrants are employed and made to work 24-hour shifts for less than the minimum wage are true.

Former trade secretary and Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson has written to Samsung about the allegations.

A spokesman for the company said last night: "We were not aware of any unacceptable employment practices, but we take this very seriously. We will be calling a meeting with them.

"We want to know what is happening and find out what the position is."

Woo One, located at Sovereign business park, Hartlepool, was established in 1996 and produces 2.4 million computer casings a year.

It was expanded four years later, creating a 400-strong workforce and began producing microwave oven doors in 2000.

Mr Mandelson said: "I have written to the Samsung about the allegations made against Woo One.

"I urge anybody who has information about firms breaking the law to contact the authorities to put an end to exploitation."

It was claimed in a national newspaper that a London firm recruited an army of workers from Northern China and gave them jobs in Hartlepool.

Many are made to work 16-hour shifts, seven days a week and wages, from which the agency deducts money for food and accommodation, amount to as little as £2.48 an hour, it is claimed.

The investigation was launched following the death of a worker from a haemorrhage following an alleged 24-hour shift.

Nobody could be contacted at Woo One last night.

The Department of Trade and Industry would not comment on individual cases but the Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate does investigate complaints.