A flooring manufacturer in Whitefield has been criticised after its parent company announced soaring profits amid long-running industrial action.

Trade union GMB, which represents striking workers at Polyflor, says the company "can afford to do better" after the firm which owns it, James Holstead, announced £52m profits.

Workers the Radcliffe New Road site have been on strike since September after management suspended shifts in response to planned strike action.

The union announced fresh strike action at the end of last month, which is expected to last until Friday, October 14.

Since Monday, September 26 employees have downed tools for four hours each day from Monday to Friday.

James Holstead posted a 9.6 per cent rise in revenue year-on-year to £291.9m for the year ending June 30.

Almost 150 workers at the firm are in midst of the three weeks’ solid strike action.

GMB rep at Polyflor, John Waddington, said: "Near record profits have yet again been made in the last twelve months at Polyflor.

“Dividends paid to shareholders are to be the same as last year's record high and yet worker's wages have fallen in real terms by 10 per cent.

“Workers are so desperate they’ve been forced to go on strike just to make ends meet.

“Polyflor can clearly afford to do better - we urge them to get round the table with GMB and make an offer our members can survive on.”

Last month, union members held a rally Radcliffe town centre where they reiterated their commitment to strike action until Polyflor agreed to a 10 per cent pay increase to help in response to the cost-of-living crisis.

Speaking in response to the latest round of industrial action, finance director at Polyflor, Oliver Gordon, said: "I can confirm that we made a pay offer to GMB back in June of an eight per cent increase.

"This follows a five per cent award last year and annual increases in each of the last 35 years.

"74 employees voted for strike action of the 120 GMB members and they are on strike.

"Contrary to previous comments on social media, no-one has been sacked, no-one has been locked out.

"The majority of our employees are in work.

"We are looking to continue a dialogue but we as a business are facing unprecedented increases in energy costs and shortages of raw materials.

"It is fair to note that we were looking for union support to reduce absenteeism as part of the eight per cent pay offer (back in June) but this condition of the offer was dropped.

"We have tried to involve Mr Wakeford MP since he was very vocal as this dispute arose but he has not been available.

"Our factory is surrounded by housing and our neighbours are not happy with the protests."