PRODUCTION has ended at a small clothing factory which has manufactured school uniforms for more than half a century.

More than 50 staff, completed their final shift as the machines came to a halt for the last time at one of two Beau Brummel factories in Seaham, County Durham, last week.

Parent company Banner announced in September that it planned to wind down the Dean House Road site, although production will continue at its other premises, in Tempest Road, in the town.

About 35 workers will transfer to Tempest Road, leaving the remainder, some who gave up to 37 years' service, facing the dole queue.

Tempest Road is now Banner's only manufacturing site in the UK and the company said the closure of the Dean House Road premises came as a result of a review of the company's operations, with the decision taken for "economical and organisational" reasons.

Paul Scates, managing director of the company's schoolwear division, said most of the company's production had been switched overseas to lower costs, but he said the Tempest Road site remained "a highly motivated, flexible and adaptable manufacturing unit".

Beau Brummel, acquired by Banner in 2001, was known for its production of blazers, skirts, jackets and coats for more than 50 years.

The Dean House Road site is expected to be put up for sale.