UP TO 40 families could quit an isolated dale in the wake of a cement works closure, sparking fears of a knock-on effect on businesses and schools.

Lafarge Cement, which is shutting its Blue Circle works at Eastgate, Weardale, in August, has confirmed that 40 employees have accepted jobs in the company's UK operations.

And others from the Eastgate staff could follow as more posts are made available within Lafarge, which is transferring manufacturing to its plants in Scotland and Derbyshire.

A Task Force led by Government agency OneNorth East was set up in the wake of the closure announcement last January and has commissioned a report on Weardale's future but has not released any further information.

The dale's county councillor John Shuttleworth said he understood why people were leaving.

Coun Shuttleworth said: "The last thing they want to do is to leave Weardale, but they have no choice. A lot of them have young families and they need to work.

"The jobs are going and there is nothing in their place. It is not just the 150 jobs at Lafarge, but as many people again are affected."

And Coun Neil Stonehouse, deputy leader of Wear Valley District Council, said: "It is an issue we have to be concerned about. It could cause problems for traders and schools, where numbers are already dropping.

"You can't blame the families for going. There is no fun being out of work even if you live in a beautiful place like Weardale."

Lafarge Cement's managing director Richard Olsen said: "We have a skilled and experienced workforce and giving these people who were willing to transfer the opportunity to remain with the company is an important part of that commitment and a key principle in our partnership with the unions.

"We are very pleased that almost a third of the workforce will be staying with the business.

"Their transfer to other operations will take place mainly after clinker production finishes on August 9."

The company set up an on-site Job Shop at Eastgate and is giving staff financial help to relocate.