WORKERS sacked without consultation from a clothing factory have won a two year battle for compensation.

Former employees of the Susie Radin factory, in Crook, are celebrating after an employment tribunal awarded them 90 days pay. The London company has been ordered to pay the maximum compensation to more than 70 of the 108 workers affected, which means a total £250,000 payout.

Workers were given just three months' notice before the factory closed in 2000. Union officials and members were furious that there was no consultation to find ways to save the Beechburn Industrial Estate operation.

Jackie Woodall, regional organiser of the GMB union, hailed the ruling as a moral victory and hoped it would act as a warning to other North-East employers.

Mrs Woodall said: "It is an absolute victory because of the way the firm handled the closure. It was obvious from the start that any consultation was meaningless and jobs were being shipped abroad for profit.

"I'm thrilled for the workers that they can get some compensation and I'm sure our members will be delighted."

Kevin Curran, the GMB's regional secretary, added: "When employers fail in their statutory and moral duty to keep workers informed our members can rest assured that the GMB will pursue all courses of action on their behalf."

Leslie Grant, managing director of Susie Radin Ltd, was unavailable for comment.