YET more Wear Valley workers are facing the dole queue after administrators moved to close another factory.

The move will make more than 70 employees jobless at electrical components firm Ohmega Electronics in South Church, Bishop Auckland.

The company, which manufactures parts for the television and automotive industries, went into voluntary administration in 2000.

But receivers Price Waterhouse Coopers successfully petitioned for the winding up of the company, which was born out of the ashes of former television manufacturers Rediffusion.

The news is a further devastating blow to South West Durham, which is still coming to terms with the loss of 950 jobs at Black & Decker, in Spennymoor, 150 at LaFarge UK's cement works at Eastgate, and 80 at Barbour's Crook plant.

A further 85 workers were handed their notice at Weardale Steel, in Wolsingham, which administrator's are still trying to sell.

Just along the road from Ohmega Electronics, kitchen worktops company Vertex, in Shildon, announced its closure last month leaving more than 100 people out of work.

Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster said: "This is another body blow for the area. In the space of one week this community has lost nearly 200 jobs.

"I shall have emergency discussions to see what can be done to alleviate the situation."

Wear Valley District Council leader Olive Brown said: "It's just terrible, particularly on top of all the other job losses in and around Wear Valley.

"I'm sorry for the staff. The council will try to help in whatever way it can."

The announcement was made despite interest from an overseas company, which bosses hoped would see a turn-around in the company's fortunes.

Managing director Jim Obee said: "A Japanese company had expressed interest in taking over the company and the feeling was that they could continue to run it for two more years.

"But sadly no agreement was made."

Worker Jean Hawkes said: "We knew the firm was in trouble but had confidence it would be saved."

Colleague Janet Smith added: "It's a way of life for so many of us. It'll be difficult to find new jobs and a struggle for people with families to support."

Manufacturing director Alan Breeze said: "They are an exemplary workforce, whatever has needed to be done for the company they've always been happy to do."