Jobs go at fish tackle firm

A world-famous fishing tackle company has suffered almost 30 job losses, after being forced to make cuts.

House of Hardy, based in Alnwick, Northumberland, has been making angling equipment for 131 years, and supplies the Prince of Wales.

A spokesman from the Transport and General Workers Union, which represents many of the company's employees, said it was "very bad news."

Some of those leaving the factory for the final time today have worked for House of Hardy more than 25 years.

Angling store

Now 28 people have lost their jobs - including a director of sales.

There have been 14 job losses from the factory floor, with the rest coming from accounts and customer services.

The redundancies come after Hardy opened a store in Alnwick, The Compleat Angler.

The company was founded in 1873 by brothers William and John James Hardy and at one time employed 300 people in Alnwick.