WORKERS have criticised BT over the imminent closure of a North-East telephone exchange.

It was announced earlier this year that the directory inquiries centre in Darlington, which employs 111 staff, was to shut along with three others across the country.

Staff, who are a combination of BT employees and agency workers, have been offered new jobs at centres in Durham, Middlesbrough and York.

But many say they are unable to travel and have also been offered no compensation package on leaving the firm.

One, who did not want to be named, said: "You are talking about some three hours a day travelling by train or bus for some staff, and the additional cost of fares. With shifts also starting at 7am, it will be impossible to get to these locations by public transport."

BT, which plans to shut the exchange by October, says it is "sympathetic".

But it will only say that it will talk individually to staff who cannot move, and has refused to reveal what, if anything, will be on offer to them.