SACKED clothing factory workers hoping to share £250,000 compensation will have to wait until next year to find out if they will get the cash.

Former employees of the Susie Radin factory, in Crook, County Durham, celebrated in May after an employment tribunal awarded them 90 days pay.

The firm was ordered to pay the maximum level of compensation to more than 70 of the 108 workers affected when the Beechburn Industrial Estate operation closed in 2000.

But the workers' elation was short-lived after the London company appealed against the decision on a point of law.

They now face at least five more agonising months of waiting, as the court system works its way through a long list of appeals.

Stefan Cross, of Thompson Solicitors in Newcastle, said: "The company is entitled to appeal against the decision made at Newcastle so the case will be heard again at the London Employment Appeal Tribunal Court.

"Unfortunately, it will be well into next year before it is heard.

"It is a great disappointment to everyone involved that the issue remains unresolved, particularly to the low paid workers who were relying on the pay-out.

"We have written to them all to inform them of Susie Radin's decision and will keep them informed of what is happening."

Jackie Woodall, regional organiser of the GMB union, said she wasn't surprised that the firm had appealed but remained confident that the appeal tribunal would find in their favour.

She said: "I'm not surprised that a company ordered to pay £250,000 would spend a few more thousand pounds to try to overturn the result.

"But I'm confident that the decision will stand because I felt it was obvious from the start that the company was not prepared to hold meaningful consultation.

"Our members were delighted back in May when the two-year battle for compensation found in their favour so I'm sure they will be disappointed with this news.

"We felt Susie Radin Ltd should have worked with the union to discuss the difficulties it was facing and tried to prevent job losses."

Leslie Grant, managing director of the company, yesterday declined to comment