AROUND 50 temporary staff have been axed by one of East Lancashire's biggest employers.

The job losses at Imperial Home Decor - better known as Crown Wallcoverings - in Darwen have been blamed on continuing problems with the strength of the pound and economic difficulties in the Far East.

Personnel director Barry Swarbrick today stressed that the firm, which changed its name from Borden Decorative Products earlier this year, normally reduced the number of temporary staff at this time of year but that the cuts were heavier than usual.

"None of the staff affected have been here for more than six months."

He said there were no plans to cut jobs amongst its 800-strong permanent workforce.

"We are pulling back to our permanent workforce and looking for efficiency improvements in production." said Mr Swarbrick.

"We doing well in the UK but the market is not so good overseas particularly in Eastern Europe and the Far East."

The Darwen site produces brand names including Crown, Shand Kydd and Storeys and exports to more than 55 countries.

The firm was recently been bought by American-based investors.

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