SHELL-SHOCKED employees of Blackburn's ill-fated Parcelforce depot were today coming to terms with the news that the operation will close.

Bosses held a briefing for the depot's 67 staff throughout yesterday after Consignia, which was formally Royal Mail, revealed it was to close the plant as part of major cutbacks designed to tackle the company's losses which top £15million each month.

Consignia said workers would be offered alternative positions or leave the company through voluntary redundancy but Blackburn's lead manager Harry Murphy said that compulsory redundancies were possible among the workforce at the site.

Consignia is cutting 15,000 jobs across the country, which includes the closure of 50 of its 101 Parcelforce depots.

Mr Murphy, who has worked for Royal Mail for 30 years, was devastated by the proposals which deals with around 30,000 parcels a week.

He said: "Job cuts will effect everyone at this depot from management through to part time staff. It is a very sad and low time for everyone. We are all devastated."

The reality of the situation has now hit many employees at the site.

One employee, who declined to be named, was clearly saddened and concerned for the future.

He said: "It's an absolute joke. No-one knows what to say to us when we ask about job losses because they don't know themselves."

Permanent employees at the Shadsworth Park depot are expected to be offered either work elsewhere in the group, the new Parcelforce Worldwide or voluntary redundancy.

One employee, who would not reveal his identity, had recently completed lighting and renovation work on the depot.

He said: "It is heart breaking to see. They are all such nice people and to think the depot will be all long gone in three months."

No job losses are expected in Burnley, Pendle or Rossendale areas.