A FAMILY-run sawmill in Dalton on Tees will cease trading at the end of the month after 35 years in business.

R Forster and Sons at Cockleberry Sawmills, West Lane, was started by the late Mr Robert Forster after he bought the three-acre site in 1967.

Producing pit props for the National Coal Board, the business flourished until the mid-80s, when it was hit by the decline of the coal industry.

Mr Forster and sons Alan, Colin and Brian, turned their attention to British Steel, cutting bearers for stacking the steel on to trains.

Once again business flourished and the sawmill was able to sustain all four families.

Six years ago Mr Forster died, leaving the sawmill operation to his sons. Last June Corus, which bought out British Steel, decided to shut down its plant at Stoke, leaving the sawmill facing a £25,000 downturn in monthly income.

Now, with the closure of the Lackenby steel coil plant at Teesside, the business has suffered its final blow.

Five members of staff have already left and secretary Mrs Connie Stephens, who has been with the firm for almost 20 years, has decided to retire.

Mr Colin Forster, who will remain in the house close to the sawmill with his mother and wife, Wendy, intends to concentrate on the domestic timber market.

Brother Alan has taken up a gamekeeper's post on the Farndale estate, while Mr Brian Forster will lay drives and patios.

Mrs Wendy Forster said: "You can't keep going on not making money. The firm lost £25,000 a month when Corus shut down the Stoke plant, and with the Teesside operation going we have no choice but to move on."

The lack of heavy industry and the inability to compete with large timber mills plus recent foot-and-mouth restrictions hampering the movement of timber led to the difficult family decision.

The sawmill will cease trading on July 31, and an auction of machinery, equipment and timber will go under the hammer on Saturday, August 11. The yard is also for sale with further commercial potential.