Jobs cuts at plasterboard plant

Fifty-five workers at a Cumbrian plasterboard factory are being made redundant because of the continuing downturn in the construction industry.

British Gypsum is cutting the jobs as part of plans to mothball one of its two production lines at its Kirkby Thore plant, near Penrith.

The move follows the loss of 30 posts in January and 26 last year. The plant had employed about 250 people.

A spokesman said many of the job losses were likely to be compulsory.

Plant manager Douglas Kinnear said: "It is with regret that we must announce further redundancies.

"The depth and duration of the downturn is such that we must now take further action.''