WORKERS at a Queenborough factory on Sheppey look set to lose their jobs despite efforts by trades union leaders to stop its closure.

After further talks between Twyford Bathrooms' management and leaders of the General Municipal Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union (GMBU), branch secretary Bob Frost said: "The company has just stressed the fact that it is closing." Sanitec, which bought Twyford Bathrooms in January 2001, plans a phased closure, with some staff leaving at the end of April, some at the end of October and final closure in June next year.

Last month GMBU leaders launched a £3 million rescue bid to save 161 jobs at the factory which makes sanitary ware. They called on the company to put £1 million towards saving the plant, with rest coming from savings already being made there and from outside funding bodies.

But Mr Frost said the latest talks with Twyford's management had centred on terms and conditions for redundancies. He added: "I am bitterly disappointed on behalf of our members." GMBU leaders and the company are due to issue a joint newsletter on Wednesday, March 6.

Johnny Dobbyn, a spokesman for Twyford's, said Sanitec was committed to its UK operation, but was investing in and developing the company's northern operation at Alsager, near Stoke.