THE future of more Teesside jobs is in doubt after BP announced plans to close its polyethylene operations at Wilton.

Consultations are taking place with the 81 BP employees who work at the plant, and the company has commited itself to helping them find new jobs.

The news is another blow for Teesside, still reeling from job losses in the steel and shipbuilding industries at Corus and Cammell Laird.

Some Wilton workers may be able to transfer to other BP locations, while re-training and job search assistance will be provided for others.

However, those employees could find themselves having to move to Aberdeen, Hull or as far away as China for continued employment with the company.

The polyethylene plant was built in 1973, and was acquired from ICI in 1981. BP did not take over the operation of the plant until 1996.

It manufactures polyethylene for use by customers working in a wide range of products, including plastic food bags and film applications.

Donald Austin, site manager at BP Wilton, said: "It is with deep regret that we have to make this announcement.

"It comes despite the efforts of everyone at the site to embrace the changes implemented at the site in recent years."

He added: "In a highly competitive market, it has been increasingly difficult to maintain profitability at the plant.

"The plant's age and related high costs of production and maintenance combined with competition from newer, larger plants have made Wilton unprofitable and led to this decision."

A spokesman for the Transport and General Workers' Union, which represents workers at the Wilton site, said: "We are shocked by BP's decision to pull out of Wilton. We will be seeking meetings with management to clarify the future of staff at the site."

Coun David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, expressed his regret at BP's decision.

He said: "This is a blow for Teesside's economic base, and follows hard on the heels of similar announcements at Corus and Cammell Laird.