ONE of Rossendale's longest established factories is to close at Easter.

Rumours have been circulating tfor months about Kearns of Waterfoot closing because of increased competition from abroad.

Management at the Cowpe-based dye company, which was established in 1934, have been refusing to comment about the rumours for months.

But a spokesman for the company yesterday confirmed: "All staff have been served their notices and the factory is to close at Easter."

Around 25 employees left working at the factory are expected to finish on Good Friday.

Steve Taylor, a former employee at the company, who now owns Steve's Greengrocer's in Waterfoot, said: "It's such a shame. I know that it's definitely closing because some of the workers have told me that they have now had their notice.

"The rumours were going round when I worked there more than 10 years ago which was one of the reasons why I left because I had a family to support.

"I shouldn't have listened then because, to the credit of the directors there, they have managed to keep it going."

The company has been renowned for it's quality dying of wool and cotton over the years and has produced work for the likes of Manchester United, the Empire State Building and Marks & Spencer.

Mr Taylor added: "They never scrimped or saved on anything. They didn't need to scout for business, it came from word of mouth. Their dye never ran, which is what made all their products sought after.

"The closure is a great blow to Rossendale."