THE region's manufacturing industry suffered another blow yesterday with news of almost a hundred job losses at a County Durham factory.

Lighting company Thorn has confirmed that it is to cut the 787-strong workforce at its only UK production site, in Spennymoor, by 95.

The firm is calling for manufacturing and support staff to take voluntary redundancies so the cutback can be completed over the next six months.

A downturn in the European manufacturing and construction industries, along with the closure of Thorn's sales operation in Germany, has been blamed for the cuts.

During the last two decades Spennymoor has suffered a series of employment knocks, with more than 10,000 jobs shed from Thorn, Rothmans and Electrolux. Power tool firm Black and Decker is to shed 950 jobs by the end of this year.

Thorn publicity manager Hugh King said: "We regret this decision but staff have been informed as soon as possible. About £1m has recently been spent at Spennymoor to ensure it is at the heart of Thorn's future and we intend to continue this investment."

Davey Hall, regional secretary of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU or Amicus), said: "This is a shining example of a company producing high-quality merchandise that is suffering through a decline of the manufacturing and construction industries.

"It is sad to see so many skilled and qualified workers leaving the industry."

Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster will meet ministers to discuss the deterioration in the industry in a bid to help those affected.

Sedgefield Borough Councillor Kester Noble, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We'll work with Durham County Council, One NorthEast, local MPs and other partners to find a way to support the local economy.

"We will also look at ways to attract and support smaller firms rather than relying so much on big businesses."