A PRESTON textile firm has announced 25 redundancies just days before Christmas.

JR&A Smith based at the Manchester Mill in Mosley Street, will lose almost half of its 60-strong workforce.

The company which was founded in 1884, produces cotton velvet and employs people from all over the county.

The redundancies will affect everyone who works at the plant, from administrative and warehouse workers to manufacturing staff.

Managing director Stuart Fillingham said: "We are initially looking for volunteers, from every department right across the board."

He blamed the move on a downturn in the UK business and said: "The textile industry is having a hard time at the moment. Three other companies in North East Lancashire have recently announced redundancies. From what I understand we are not the only ones."

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