FORTY jobs are to go at one of Darwen's biggest employers - just three weeks after it was taken over by a French firm.

Bosses at Chapman Envelopes of Eccleshill have told the 180-strong workforce that the jobs will go before the end of the year.

Managing director John Townend today said it was hoped some of the across the board job losses could be achieved through voluntary redundancies.

He said the cuts were needed to make the site more competitive.

"We have started a consultation process with employees and their representatives."

The announcement is the second blow this week to East Lancashire's paper industry.

Sappi Europe has said 75 jobs will need to go at its Blackburn mill to secure its long term future.

Earlier this month, Chapman Envelopes was bought by GPV, one of Europe's largest envelope producers.

GPV has more than 35 per cent of the French market and 12 per cent of the total European market.

The purchase of Chapman Envelopes was GPV's first major acquisition in the UK and the latest sale of the Chapman Group's East Lancashire interests.

Chapman Containers of Clayton-le-Moors, was sold earlier this year.

The cardboard box factory, which employs about 50 people, was bought by Braeside Street Ltd, a newly-formed company set up by local businessman Peter Street.

Last year, the jobs axe fell on 180 workers at New Waterside Paper Mills, another part of the Chapman Industries business.

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