A WAVE of job losses are expected at a Bury textile manufacturer after it was revealed to be ceasing operation.

Around 15 people are expected to be made redundant as Lydall Industrial Filtration looks set to close its operation in Walshaw Road, Bury, due to its site lease expiring at the end of 2018.

Much of the operation is to relocate to Rawtenstall to merge with another of the company's sites.

The company is currently moving equipment out of the area ahead of the planned move, and several staff from Lydall's Bury operation will then be asked to follow the relocation.

Plans for an offsite warehouse have also been considered by Lydall.

The move is understood to have caused consternation amongst staff, many of whom have been employed at the company for over 30 years, and are unhappy about the extra travelling the relocation will involve .

The company currently employs 25 staff, and a textiles manufacturer has been operating in Walshaw Road since 1924.

The site was originally home to Andrew's Textiles which was founded in 1874 by Edward Worsley Andrew as Sole Traders, who sold woven ironer cloths and bags from a Bury Market stall.

The company relocated to Walshaw Road in 1924 becoming Edward W Andrew Ltd and later Andrew Industries Ltd which now operates across the globe.

The Walshaw Road site was acquired by Lydall Industrial Filtration in 2014.

The company has operations across the UK, Europe, North American and Asia, and specialises in the development and engineering of needle punched products including felts, filter bags, sleeves and cloths which are used in a variety of industries including air pollution control, liquid filtration, laundry equipment, business machines, home appliances, and automotive.

A Lydall spokesman said: "Lydall Industrial Filtration Textile Mfg EMEA is to close the Bury site and transfer the majority of the operations to our site in Rawtenstall.

"Discussions have taken place with our recognised union, and employee representatives / individual employees who have been given the option of transferring to the Rawtenstall site.

"The company will liaise with the Job Centre to provide support to employees during this period.

"The company very much regrets that this action is being taken and will make every effort to mitigate the number of redundancies required.

"The company will continue to maintain a manufacturing presence in the UK and this change will support the long-term viability of the business and provide an enhanced service to our customers."