DOUBT remained last night over the jobs of more than 500 North-East employees of an American electronics firm.

Frustrated union officials left a meeting with local Viasystems officials, still uncertain over the future of the firm's North Tyneside plant.

The meeting was called as rumours circulated that the circuit board maker was considering closing its Longbenton operation, with a workforce of more than 500.

Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU) officials called for urgent talks with company representatives in the region as it has more than 800 members at Longbenton and at Viasystems' sister operation in South Shields.

The latest rumours follow the company's closure of a plant at Boldon, South Tyneside, with the loss of 60 jobs, earlier this month.

AEEU regional officer, Mel Barrass, emerged from yesterday's meeting, at South Shields, no wiser over the closure threat.

He said he was "quite amazed" that human resources personnel at the plant were "totally unaware" of any decision to close the Longbenton plant, which opened three years ago with £24m of Government assistance.

Mr Barrass said: "It's diabolical that people find out they may be losing their jobs through the media."

He said staff were "disillusioned and disappointed" at the situation.

Many were working fewer hours and had taken a pay cut, while Viasystems has closed other plants in the US and Puerto Rico.

A spokesman at Viasystems, in St Louis, Missouri, refused to comment on the situation or confirm, or deny, if a statement is to be issued over the Longbenton plant.