Desmonds expected to announce up to 300 lay-offs

The clothing manufacturer Desmonds is expected to announce up to 300 job losses at its operations in the North later today.

Staff at the company's seven plants in the North have been growing increasingly worried about their jobs since management announced a review of operations some time ago.

The recommendations of that review are expected to include lay-offs at two factories in the north-west and the movement of some manufacturing business overseas, where 60% of the company's output is already produced.

Desmonds, which works exclusively for Marks and Spencer, has two factories in Derry, one each in Dungiven, Swatragh, Irvinestown and Omagh and a warehouse and headquarters in Drumahoe.

The firm laid off 106 workers last September after deciding to close its factory in Dungannon.