Factory poised to cut fridge jobs

The job losses follow a downturn in the market for fridges

More than 420 workers could lose their jobs following the decision to close a Cambridgeshire factory making Hotpoint and Indesit fridges.

Indesit has proposed the closure of the complex in Peterborough because it says there has been a decline in the market for fridges across the UK.

The firm said there has also been an increase in manufacturing costs.

Indesit will now consult unions over plans to halt production on 31 October with the loss of 426 jobs.

'Extremely disappointed'

But the company said it was still committed to the UK and employed about 1,000 people in its head office, call centre and service centre in Morley Way, Peterborough.

Shailesh Vara MP, whose North West Cambridgeshire constituency includes the plant, said: "I am extremely disappointed at this news.

"I have already spoken with the managing director of Indesit and asked him to consider every option open to them with a view to saving as many jobs as possible.

"My sympathies go out to all those workers and their families who have this cloud hanging over them."