A FIRM raided by thieves who stole £100,000 worth of equipment is being forced to lay off staff as a result.

RHP Bearings, Davyfield Road, Darwen, had aluminium pattern mouldings taken in a weekend break-in.

Now bosses at the plant fear the firm may not be able to shoulder the loss and job losses are imminent.

The company employs 66 full time staff, but nine temporary staff are being laid off as a direct result of the stolen patterns.

David Smith, human resources director, for the firm, said: "We have had a brief to discuss the implications that the theft of the patterns will have on the company and we have decided to extend the summer holiday break for our employees and we are going to have to lay off our temporary staff for the time being.

"With the co-operation of the staff we should be able to get through this without having to take any further action."

There could be further implications for the full time staff after the summer if the patterns are not returned. They are crucial for production, although company bosses are doing everything in their power to prevent this.

Mr Smith added: "We are currently working with designers to try and re-create the patterns, although it will be a long and hard process, because they are unique to the company."

The moulds, weighing about three tonnes, are thought to be the only ones with the distinct pattern.

Police believe that because of the weight and specialist nature of the moulds they will be difficult to offload, and may be sold as scrap for as little as £3,000.

Steve Regan, plant manager for RHP said: "Hopefully in the very near future we will be able to bring the people we had to let go back into the company and re-employ them. In the meantime I would urge anyone who knows anything about the theft or the whereabouts of the patterned aluminium mouldings to get in touch with either us or the police."