OFFICIALS say the decision to close a factory in a town already suffering job losses could cripple the area.

Shocked workers at waxed jacket manufacturer J Barbour and Sons, in Crook, County Durham, learned on Friday that the firm is to shut its plant and move to South Shields.

Wear Valley District Council leader Olive Brown said: "I feel extremely sorry for the workforce who have worked well and hard building up a successful factory.

"South Shields is a long way to travel every day and some may move away from Crook, which will be devastating."

South west Durham has seen huge job losses over the past few months, at LaFarge UK's cement works, in Eastgate, Weardale, and Black and Decker, in Spennymoor.

Crook's clothing industry has been in decline for more than a decade; 450 jobs were lost when Ramar went into receivership in 1991 and another 100 were lost when Susie Radin closed last spring.

Durham County Councillor Bob Pendlebury, who represents Crook South, said: "We have lost so many employers in this area, it is difficult to see how the area will keep its population, as people move away in search of employment.

County colleague Coun Trevor Carroll, of Crook North, said: "If people travel out of the area to work, a lot of trade will be lost from workers who currently buy their lunch, papers, petrol and bits and pieces on their way to or from work."

The Transport and General Workers Union, which represents some of the 87 staff at the factory, said talks with Barbour will begin this week.