WORKERS at a lawnmower-making factory are facing an uncertain future after they were told the firm is making 19 redundancies.

Husqvarna, in Newton Aycliffe, have entered formal consultations following proposed redundancies at the County Durham site.

Workers said the firm was speaking to Unite union after they were formally advised on the plans.

Unite regional officer, Pat McCourt, said: “We fully understand how worrying this announcement is for our members and have entered into a period of consultation with Husqvarna.

“We will continue to explore all available options to avoid any compulsory redundancies while providing the necessary support and advice to our members.”

Employees from the factory claimed the redundancies were due to the company moving production to the Czech Republic.

A spokesperson from Husqvarna said: “In line with our previous communication in September 2016, whereby we created a second robotics site – in Vrbno – the allocation of production volume between Aycliffe and Vrbno is constantly being evaluated. Risk reduction is the main driver and we are creating true dual source capabilities. Aycliffe will continue being the industrialization site for robotics and Vrbno will, over time, build-up its engineering capabilities.”

“There is no change to our prior communication on the strategic importance of the Aycliffe site to the Husqvarna Group.”