MORRISONS has given a glimmer of hope to hundreds of North-East workers whose jobs are under threat.

The supermarket chain has warned that its distribution depots in Stockton and Felling, Gateshead, are at risk of closure with the loss of more than 700 jobs.

But the 600 workers at the Stockton depot have been told there are "options" being considered that could save it from being shut down.

Morrisons was last night unable to go into details about a rescue plan, but said the consultation process would address all possibilities.

"The company believes that there are options available which, if implemented, could prevent the depot from closing and give it a future as part of the distribution network going forward," said a Morrisons spokesman.

"These options are to be fully explored with the workforce."

But Morrisons is being less positive about its Felling site, which employs 130 staff and is at risk of closure because of over-capacity and high operating costs.

A consultation process with staff and shopworkers' union Usdaw has started and forms part of Morrisons' review of its entire warehousing operation, following the acquisition of Safeway in 2004.

The group has already closed three of its distribution centres in Warrington, Bristol and Aylesford, Kent, with the loss of 1,500 jobs, as part of the restructuring.

Bradford-based Morrisons said the consultation will determine whether there are any "viable alternative options" before drawing up final plans for the future of the Stockton and Felling depots.

Joanne Thomas, regional organiser for Usdaw, said the closure of either of the North-East sites would have catastrophic effects.

She said: "We will do everything we can to keep both sites open and save as many jobs as possible.

"It would be catastrophic if this amount of people became unemployed in these areas, especially in Stockton. It would be devastating.

"They do seem to be a little bit more positive about the future of Stockton, though."

She said workers were not shocked by the announcement.

"Everybody has been waiting over the last year for Morrisons to finalise its distribution network, so this has not come as a shock but more of a disappointment that it has taken this turn," she said.

"We need to sit round the table with Morrisons to see what avenues can be explored to save jobs.

"We will be pushing for redeployment before any redundancy packages are discussed."