MCBRIDE is planning to close its Burnley site with the loss of 200 jobs, it has been announced.

Management at the firm, which makes and distributes household cleaning products, said the Windermere Avenue factory was likely to shut in March next year.

McBride has 20 factories across 11 countries, but the Burnley site has been earmarked for closure because it offers no scope for expansion and could not absorb other sites, bosses said.

The decision comes just days after the company announced it had been carrying out a strategic review of the business.

Chief Executive Officer Chris Bull said the proposals had been influenced by factors including the ‘challenging’ economic climate and trading environment.

And Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle described the news as ‘tragic’.

He said: “It is absolutely tragic that the Burnley site is set to close, especially when it is not due to any fault of their own.

“There is no trouble with the workforce and the site is productive and profitable.

“It is down to the aesthetics of the site, which is landlocked with housing.

“I’m going to see the managing director on Tuesday to see if there is anything we can do to change their mind.

“Unfortunately we do not have a readymade site for them to move into.”

Under the proposals, production at the Burnley site would be transferred to other McBride factories in the UK.

The firm said staff affected would be provided with a full programme of support and offered jobs at other sites where possible.

Formal consultation has begun with the Works Council on the proposals.

Mr Birtwistle said: “I understand the majority of the workforce will be offered jobs in Manchester if they are willing to travel.

“I know some skilled men who work there and one or two have suggested they will travel because it is only to Middleton, which is this side of Manchester.”

The strategic review was launched in response to soaring costs of raw materials rise and falling revenues.

Mr Bull said: “The proposals have been made with considerable regard to the personal impacts they will have and we will do everything we can to mitigate the effects.

“However, the challenging economic climate that we are facing means that in order to become more competitive and retain our market leading position it is essential that we explore ways to reduce our costs and improve the efficiency of our business.”