VILLAGERS have been shocked by a closure threat to a century-old family weaving business.

About 40 employees at Banister Brothers in Bee Mill, Ribchester, have been told that the family-run business could close soon if new orders cannot be found.

Some have already been issued with 12-week redundancy notices.

The company blames Far Eastern competition and a loss in orders from a major customer for the announcement.

However, management at Banister's hope that at least half the jobs can be saved with the emergence of a slimmed-down business.

Managing director Michael Banister said: "If the orders are not sufficiently good then we will have to close.

"Our major customer for the last 10 years has cut back considerably.

"Bulk weaving is more and more done in the Far East and we are left with short-run, specialist stuff.

"It comes to the point when you can't run a mass manufacturing operation."

"No-one likes making anyone redundant and I'm going to be redundant as well if it shuts down, but if you haven't got the orders you can't carry on."

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