Union leaders expressed shock today at the loss of 300 jobs because work is being transferred from the UK to a factory in Slovakia.

The cuts at a plant in Washington, Tyne and Wear, were attacked as "bad news" by officials of the Amicus union.

National officer Danny Carrigan said he will press the factory's owners, LG Philips, to transfer workers to its plant at nearby Durham.

"This is bad news for the North East and we are shocked by the announcement," he said.

"We will consult with the company to try to avoid compulsory redundancies."

Union officials were told that the company was switching production of coils for TV sets overseas because it was cheaper than building them in the UK.

The company said the decision was aimed at maintaining a worldwide "competitive cost position".

The transfer of work will take place over the next year, with about 120 of the current 420-strong workforce remaining at the Washington plant.

LG Philips said it was committed to helping the 300 employees affected by the transfer to find new jobs.

The first group of workers is expected to leave the Washington factory in the summer.