39 jobs to go as BPI closes Cumbria plant

BRITISH Polythene Industries is set to close its manufacturing plant in Cumbria with the likely loss of 39 jobs.

Greenock-based BPI said it planned to shut the Brampton facility, which manufactures polythene film for packaging applications, after a "significant deterioration" in volumes. The group will switch production to its other operations.

Yesterday's jobs blow came as BPI released a brief trading update, highlighting "positive progress" since November's interim management statement.

It said it now expected the financial results for 2009 to be at the "top end of current market expectations". Net borrowings, meanwhile, were lower than previously expected.