TEN jobs are to go at long established Kirkby Stephen giftware manufacturers Heredities following a bombshell decision to relocate the company to Ireland Heredities Limited was founded in 1968 by Timothy Abel Smith and his wife Maureen and specialised in producing cold-cast figurines and became a major employer in the town.

But last year the troubled company went into receivership and was bought six weeks later along with some of its assets by Irish Giftware firm Genesis.

At the time of the takeover, Genesis Managing Director Tony Collins continued with the lease of the factory at Redmayne Road although the firm did not buy Heredities' freehold premises consisting of offices, warehouse and shops.

But now company owners have decided that the Kirkby Stephen factory is to close and that the company is to relocate to the Genesis site in Mullingar, County Westmeath.

It is believed that the ten-strong workforce, many of whom have been at the site for more than 20 years, was offered the chance to go with the firm. It is thought that none have taken up the proposal.

Mr Collins was unavailable for comment but Kirkby Stephen Town Council Chairman Shiela Haughey, herself a founder member of Heredities, said she was disappointed about the closure.

She said: "I am obviously disappointed that ten jobs are to go in Kirkby Stephen and I feel sorry for the workforce, the company went into receivership last year and the ten people who were kept on felt it was a secure position.

Coun John Smith, chairman of Eden District Council's community and economy committee, said that he was "sad" that Genesis had decided to move back to Ireland. He said he did not know why it had decided to do so despite the fact he had contacted the firm himself.

He said: "There is a big problem with jobs in Eden. I don't know why they have decided to move. We have had no response from them at all. They must have reasons but they are not saying."

He added that if the unemployed workers needed help finding jobs they would receive it from Eden District Council "at the earliest opportunity."

Mr Smith added: "I am very sorry because Kirkby Stephen has had few problems with jobs in the last few years but I am sure that we will overcome it."