THE fate of electronic components firm SMK will be revealed to workers on Monday.

Staff at the Newton Aycliffe operation face an anxious weekend while they await an announcement of the results of a global review of operations.

The Japanese business manufactures remote control units for televisions and control panels for photocopiers, but has seen a downturn in its global markets.

Personnel director Les Dixon said: "We are going to be telling the workforce of the conclusion of that review and what the impact will be on this site, so that they can see where we are at this point in time."

Staffing at the Newton Aycliffe factory, SMK's only site in the UK, has fallen from a peak of 350 in 2000, to 125, although most of the job losses have been among temporary staff.

Rumours that the plant is to close have previously been dismissed as speculation.

It is understood that managing director Takemi Ishibashi will outline the company's business plan to workers on Monday morning.