Chesapeake wants to concentrate its UK capacity in the sector at Fields Newcastle and Birmingham sites, where it plans to develop its operations. It said it had decided to close Congleton because of pressure on carton prices.

Mike Griffiths, the GPMUs national officer for Field Group, said he was not surprised at the announcement. "Weve been aware for some time that the group has been considering its options across a number of sites," he said, "but were still extremely disappointed because we havent been involved in discussions.

"What they have said is that they have a commitment to ongoing discussions with a view that if anything can be done that makes the site viable then they would revisit the decision."

Field has also said that there may be opportunities for staff to transfer to Birmingham or Newcastle. It has now entered a 90-day consultation period with the GPMU. The closure of Congleton will take place over the next six months.

Griffiths attributed much of Fields problems to the strength of the pound. "Theres direct pressure from continental printers

or the knock-on effect because someone else has lost work to the continent and dropped prices," he said.

Story by Gordon Carson