THE dark clouds that circled above the doomed Rothmans factory yesterday reflected the mood of the workforce below.

Still reeling from the news that their jobs were being axed, a sombre procession of workers filed out of the factory gates on the journey home to contemplate their futures.

The staff uniforms they were wearing proudly displayed the British American Tobacco logo, but it was few who left the cigarette plant filled with company pride.

Workers on the 6am to 2pm shift had finished on the production line to be told their services would no longer be required. Others who were making their way to factory for the 2pm to 10pm slot were told to turn back - there was going to be no more work done that day.

As the vehicles rolled past, the multitude of faces staring out of car windows revealed a mixture of emotions. Many were etched with worry; others looked tired and shocked; some people smiled, giving the media the thumbs up.

One middle-aged woman had tears rolling down her cheeks, clearly overcome by the news.

Those who stopped to talk to reporters said they felt let down by the company, angry at not being warned or consulted over the closure.

"It stinks," said one man. "It absolutely stinks."

Another said she did not know what would happen to her.

"I am absolutely devastated," she said. "I just can't believe what is happening. I just don't know what I am going to do."

Kevin Swainston, of Muirkirk Grove, Darlington, has been a loyal Rothmans worker for 26 years. The 52-year-old said: "It's a big shock. There are always rumours flying around the factory, especially as the place is a bit short of work.

"A lot of people have worked there a long time. There will be a lot of families with young children who are very worried."

For many of the staff, the job loss announcement was a bitter reminder that they had been there before.

A car filled with four young men left the plant and shouted: "It's happened again.

"We can't believe it. We were at Spennymoor and lost our jobs. We came here and now it's happened again."

Ronnie Holbrough, a senior operator who has worked there for 13 years, said: "I cannot believe they have treated us this way.

"They have been telling us it was not going to shut and that things were picking up.

"I think it's disgusting. The management have been so secretive, just leading us along."

Mr Holbrough, who works with his wife, Gwen, and lives more than 20 miles away in the village of Eggleston, near Barnard Castle, added: "When we have asked questions they gave us no answers."

Union official Steve Monkman, chairman of the MSF Amicus section at the plant, said that during his 24 years with the company relations between management and employees had deteriorated.

The 44-year-old, who lives seven minutes' walk away from the plant, said: "Years ago, I looked forward to coming to work and I smiled as I walked through the door, despite the hot sweaty conditions.

"But that has deteriorated and that is why I got involved with the union."

Mr Monkman and his fellow union reps, Ronnie Elstob and Ray Raper, are determined to battle on with negotiations on behalf of workers.

As the last of the staff left the factory yesterday, the union men had a brief reprieve from talks.

"We are off to the pub," they said. "There will be a lot of people drowning their sorrows there today."