GREETINGS cards giant Birthdays has not ruled out the possibility of redundancies following a decision to cease one of its activities.

Around 20 staff are affected by the Bury-based company's move to dispense with its refurbishment process work involving old stock.

Now, the future of those who were previously involved in this operation at the Birthdays' warehouse in Dumers Lane is under consideration.

Chief executive Mr Richard Boland said: "We began our refurbishment process 18-months ago but it has not delivered what the company required and is not part of our core business. That function is effectively redundant."

He disclosed that the company was involved in a month-long consultation exercise to determine the future roles of the staff previously involved in that activity.

"A responsible employer seeks to make sure that whatever possible can be done to secure employment and this situation is under review."

Mr Boland said Birthdays could not rule out the possibility of redundancies but said the review would also look at the possibility of the staff being absorbed elsewhere.

Birthdays employs around 350 workers at its Dumers Lane base and its growing network of stores nationwide accounts for an additional 3,300 people.

"We are opening 25 new stores this year and that will provide an extra 300 or 400 jobs," concluded Mr Boland.