350 jobs under threat at factory

About 350 aluminium workers in Oxfordshire have been told the future of their factory is under threat.

Directors at Sapa in Banbury have said they are looking for ways to maintain the business, which has been affected by a slow-down in the market.

Overseas competition has also led to less work for the plant and the firm is now "reviewing its options".

The aluminium plant on Southam Road opened in 1931 and was once one of the biggest employers in Banbury.

Andy McLoughlin, spokesman for Sapa, said: "The overall market in the UK for our aluminium products is reducing and has reduced over the last few years.

"Primarily, that's as a result of an overall lower demand within the UK market, and also there's been a significant increase in low-cost imports coming in from areas such as the Far East.

"The business now is taking forward a review of various different options to try to secure a viable business for the UK for the future."

He said the review would take about six weeks and staff would be kept informed of any changes.