A CARPET firm is set to chop 66 jobs and close its Kidderminster site.

Georgian Carpets, of Clensmore, is proposing to shut its town factory and move operations to Cumbria due to continuing financial losses at the firm.

Georgian managing director Mike Lyman said it was a sad day for the Kidderminster operation but the plan meant more jobs would be saved nationwide.

And he poured scorn on comments by Wyre Forest MP David Lock that the rationalisation was "no way to treat loyal employees who have worked at the company for many years".

He said: "It is very sad and it is with great regret I have to make people I have worked with for 25 years redundant. I have fought long and hard to keep Kidderminster going.

"However, this is a commercial decision and the alternatives would have meant bigger job losses elsewhere in the country.

"We are trying to maintain our UK operation rather than employing labour abroad like other carpet companies."

He added: "The decision is a reflection of everything the industry is going through. We have had to battle against the strength of the pound and the fact there has been a big move to smooth floorings.

"Rationalisation has happened in other Kidderminster carpet firms such as Victoria and Brintons."

Mr Lyman said the company was consulting with its employees regarding potential redundancies to avoid or reduce the number of job losses.

A final decision would be made in four weeks.

Georgian, which has operated in Kidderminster for more than 35 years, was the first company to manufacture tufted woollen carpet.

The firm, which has sites in Kendal and Chorley, Lancashire, employs about 400 people.