THREE hundred workers at Hallmark Cards in Altham were today coming to terms with the shock news that they have to choose between losing their jobs or working at the company's Bradford site.

The Bradford-based company announced its proposal to relocate one of its manufacturing centres from Altham to Bradford yesterday. The proposed move is to be phased in over the next 15 months.

Group operations director for the company Richard Campbell said the move came after the company had invested several million pounds in the refurbishment of new headquarters in Bradford.

"After careful consideration of all the options we have concluded that our Dawson Lane site in Bradford is the most appropriate site for this development.

"We have taken the decision to inform our employees as early as possible of this proposal, as it obviously has significant impact on personal and family circumstances.

"We have great people at the Altham site with a lot of expertise that we do not want to lose. We will be offering people support for extra travelling costs and will also look at relocation for some people who want to come with us to Bradford."

Communications officer at the company Gill Adams added that there would be no compulsory redundancies. But Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said Bradford was a considerable distance away and that it would be hard for people with families to relocate there, as it would involve children having to transfer to different schools.

He added: "This is obviously bad news. We have been going through a really bad time anyway since September 11 and this is bad news for the work-force."

Leader of Hyndburn Council Peter Britcliffe described it as a "devastating blow for Hyndburn'".

He said the area had lost its government Assisted Area Status two years ago and had always warned it was a fragile economy.

Coun Britcliffe added: "There is a very chill wind here at the moment. It's not only bad news for Hyndburn but for the whole of East Lancashire. We just do not feel there is light at the end of the tunnel.

"This is one of Hyndburn's biggest employers -- it's not the Christmas present we wanted."

He added the council was looking to meet the company on Monday and that the council was keen to help workers in the area find alternative employment.

Workers at the Altham site declined to comment yesterday.