The American Express Rosenbluth call centre at Fossa in Killarney is to close in April, with the loss of 40 jobs.

THE final blow to the troubled Sports Socks operation, which once employed 266 people in Co Kerry, was delivered, yesterday, when the company announced it is to end manufacturing in Ireland.

The Sports Socks Company, located in Cahirciveen and Tralee in Co Kerry, is to phase out manufacturing in Ireland with the loss of 165 jobs.

THE loss of 147 industrial jobs, in Co Kerry, with a further 119 jobs also in serious danger, was described as a major blow to the area, last night.

Calvin Klein has signed US clothing giant Kellwood Co to develop a new women’s sportswear line, to be sold in department stores as early as spring 2004.