A TRAILER manufacturer has been forced to lay off around 20 staff in response to the present fuel crisis.

Customers of Northallerton-based Utility International have put 60 orders on hold while they gauge the outcome of the present dispute over fuel prices.

MD Stephen Bennett said a combination of the fuel dispute and the strength of sterling had forced the company into a number of lay-offs.

"We've had 60 orders put on hold because of the current fuel crisis," he said.

"People are waiting to see what the Chancellor has to say this week, before making any major decisions.

"But we've been building trailers here for 87 years and hopefully we can get back to working at full capacity in the very near future."

Gerry Hunter, regional officer for the engineers union, AEEU confirmed he had been made aware of the situation.

"Our members at Utility are bitterly disappointed that this has happened especially with Christmas just around the corner," he said.

"I only hope that they can be back at work as soon as possible."

The firm, formerly York Trailers, has been forced to lay-off seven office staff and 14 in the factory, and Mr Bennett confirmed that a weeklong factory shutdown was planned.

"We will take the opportunity to shutdown the factory and carry out our annual inventory," he added.

This is not the first time the company has faced problems and in March 1997, when it was York Trailers, management laid off the entire staff due to a lack of orders. A year later it was taken over by US-based Utility who began an extensive programme of upgrade and expansion as part of a £7m investment in the company.