MORE than 100 factory workers face losing their jobs next year.

GN Netcom Ltd, a telephone headset manufacturer at the Wear Estate Washington, Wearside, plans to halve its workforce, blaming tough conditions in the market, including the strength of the pound, for the move.

The cuts are likely to be among both permanent and temporary staff. Compulsory redundancy has not been ruled out.

A spokeswoman for the company said the job cuts would take place in phases, in March, June and September.

She said the cuts follow the firm's decision to move high-volume production abroad, but added it could return to Washington if conditions became more favourable.

Last week, the David Brown Radicon gear factory in Pallion, Sunderland, announced it will close next year, with the loss of 180 jobs