A LANCASTER based company hit hard by the foot and mouth crisis is relocating its offices and will be laying off local staff.

Brasher Boot Company situated at the White Cross will move to Sunderland to operate in the same building as its sister company Berghaus.

Management at the walking boot company have blamed the foot and mouth crisis, the rise in the cost of leather and the September 11 terrorist attacks as having adversely affected trading conditions.

Negotiations are ongoing with employees to minimise the impact of the relocation but up to half of the sales and administration staff at the White Cross headquarters are expected to lose their jobs.