MORE than 20 employees face redundancy as a garage prepares to close.

Staff at Lookers Toyota in Darlington Road, Northallerton were told last Friday the garage would close at the end of the month.

Toyota made the decision to close the garage after the RMB Toyota dealership, based near Yarm, received planning permission to develop a new dealership on a different site in Darlington Road.

A Toyota spokesman said: "RMB play a strong role in the North-East, which is why we have decided to make them responsible for the Northallerton area, concentrating Lookers dealerships mainly in the South.

"The staff at the site are employed by Lookers so decisions on whether they can be employed elsewhere or are to be made redundant lies with it.

"Job losses are always very regrettable, but as another Toyota dealership will be opening in the town next year, we would hope there would be opportunities for employment there."

Colin Tipton, manager of the Lookers garage, said: "It's all happened quite suddenly and we're still waiting for more details ourselves. We do have a lot of loyal customers in the town and once we do find out more I will be sending out letters to let them know the situation."

A spokesman for Lookers plc was unable to confirm if staff would be found alternative employment within the company.

Robert Bennett, managing director of RMB, confirmed his dealership would not be taking over the Lookers site.

Work on the new Toyota dealership is expected to start next year.

Mick Jewitt, Hambleton District Council's head of planning and economic development, said the garage's loss would come as a blow to the town.

"This is very sad news," said Mr Jewitt. "The loss of jobs is always a concern for the council and we are always working to improve job opportunities in the area.

"We will continue to look at what we need to do for the future of the area."