ALMOST 100 workers will face the axe when slipper manufacturers Dunlop Footwear closes next month.

Competition from low cost imports has forced the struggling Blackburn company into the red.

A year ago the Water Street firm cut prices, substantially reorganised the business and opened an on-site factory shop in a bid to improve sales.

Management blame cheap imports, mainly from Spain, for under-cutting the UK slipper manufacturing sector.

Dunlop Footwear's managing director Nigel Kingston said: "I deeply regret that we have to make this decision to close the factory.

"We have all worked very hard over the last three years to make this business profitable, but against cheaper competitive products we were not able to turn the business around."

He added: "Unfortunately we cannot relocate staff to our other factory because it manufactures a completely different product but we will be offering them a statutory redundancy package."

Rita Wakeley, of Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, said: "It's terribly sad to see a local company close like this, especially so close to Christmas. I feel for the families affected by it.

"But it is becoming increasingly difficult for UK firms to compete against foreign imports. Cost, not quality, seems to be the important thing these days."

Dunlop Footwear, in Parkside Mill, Water Street, Blackburn, will close on December 20.

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