THE proposed loss of jobs among maintenance workers in North Yorkshire rekindled a bitter political feud last night.

Labour councillors reacted angrily to the news that seven jobs are likely to be cut at a workshop run by Balfour Beatty Fleet Services at Leeming Bar, near Northallerton.

They said that just six months ago workers had been given assurances by Conservative councillors that their jobs would be safe.

The county council voted in December to sell operations, including winter road maintenance, to Raynesway Construction Southern - a subsidiary of Balfour Beatty.

Despite union ballots showing that 80 per cent of the authority's workforce was opposed to the move, a six-year contract worth £27m a year was agreed.

Now, Labour chiefs say promises that there would be more opportunities for staff have proved "empty and worthless."

The group's environment spokesman, Councillor Eric Broadbent, said: "We opposed the externalisation of these contracts then and we sadly predicted what would happen.

"Our fears have been realised and the Conservatives who pushed through this move must taken full responsibility and hang their heads in shame."

The Leeming Bar base will be closed with staff relocated at a new facility in Finkles Way, Northallerton.

But seven jobs - 20 per cent of the company's workforce - are expected to be lost. Talks with Unison about saving some posts are ongoing.

"It's desperately sad that this has happened such a short time after the contract was awarded," said Coun Broadbent.

But Tory councillor Peter Sowray, executive member for environmental services, said: "They are simply playing politics. The depot at Leeming Bar is closing down and they are moving to Northallerton to a state-of-the-art workshop for vehicle maintenance. There is a possibility that one or two could be relocated.

"It is disappointing that we are losing these jobs, but vehicle maintenance was one section where there never was a guarantee that the workload could be maintained."