STAFF at a Sheppey factory who face losing their jobs are to hold a meeting on Thursday night to discuss their future. More than 150 workers at Twyford Bathrooms at Queenborough could lose their jobs over the next 18 months after the company announced that talks are being held about reducing output at the site.

Now staff are holding an open meeting to which local people are invited at Queenborough Social Club. Officials from the General Municipal Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union (GMBU) will tell staff the results of their latest talks with management.

The meeting starts at 7pm and local MP Derek Wyatt has been invited. Mr Wyatt, who will be returning from a trip to Sweden late on Thursday night, has asked Department of Trade and Industry ministers to hold talks with Twyford's management and is seeking financial and supportive training packages for those made redundant.

Bob Frost, branch secretary of the GMBU, said the local economy as well as the livelihood of staff would be affected by the possible closure. In January 2001, Twyford Bathrooms became part of Sanitec, the European sanitaryware manufacturing group.

There are currently 161 employees and Johnny Dobbyn, a spokesman for Twyford, says talks were still going on with union representatives.