THE region has suffered another devastating blow with the announcement last week that a further 99 jobs are to go.

Workers at glass processing and installation company Solaglas have been left reeling by the news that it will close its domestic appliance department at Bishop Auckland.

Managing director of the French owned company, Alistair Higgins, said the decision was made because of market conditions in the domestic sector.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after an emergency job summit was held in the town to try and maintain the remaining jobs in the district and attract more businesses.

The company began a 30-day consultation with staff on Monday.

Mr Higgins said: "We are actively seeking alternative employment opportunities for staff within the Saint-Gobain group, other glass processing companies, via our suppliers and customers.''

Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster said that it was bad news for the area and said he had spoken to Solaglas about its decision.

He said: "I'm speaking with ministers to ensure that the assistance is given to those members of the workforce who are being displaced by redundancies.''

Allan Gray of the Transport and General Workers' Union said that tensions were running high.

Mr Gray hit out at Solaglas saying that if 100 people had been made redundant then the unions would have the right to have 100 days talks with the company but because 99 people will lose their jobs that has been reduced to 30 days.

Process worker Lawrence Bryan, 41, has worked at the Tindale Crescent site for seven years.

He said: "A lot of experience and a lot of hard work has gone into this place. We feel very upset and let down.''

He and colleagues Stan Brough, 42, and Sam Aldworth, 38, said they felt Solaglas had transferred a lot of work to its other sites leaving Bishop Auckland to struggle.

Mr Aldworth said: "We have the reputation for being the most multi-skilled workforce the company has. We have been sold down the river."