John Cooling, managing director of bgps parent, Goodhead Group, said that a 12-year-old Albert Frankenthal combination press would be decommissioned at the 340-employee plant.

We are sold out on the commercial side but there's simply no market for the products on that press anymore. We waited until the New Year because these things are bad enough at the best of times but we didn't want to do it before Christmas, said Cooling.

He added that there was low unemployment in the area and that he hoped that those leaving would be able to find jobs.

Bgp will change the shift pattern on its remaining coldset line at Bicester, which will contribute to the losses.

It is expected that the redundancies will take place by April. GPMU national officer Chris Harding said that the union was currently negotiating with the company.

They have announced around 70 redundancies, but the final figure will probably be significantly less at around 40, said Harding.

Cooling added that the company planned to invest in a high-speed stitching line to automate the bindery.

by John Davies