EIGHTEEN jobs are to go at a home delivery firm depot.

Staff at Home Delivery Network, based in Lorne Street, Farnworth, have been told the move is part of a national depot restructure that will see more than 400 jobs go nationwide by May - a six per cent reduction in the HDNL workforce.

HDNL was created in May 2005, following the merger of Reality and Business Express.

It operates a distribution network of 60 depots covering the length and breadth of the UK and has around 7,000 employees.

The company said it would initially seek voluntary redundancies, but it has not ruled out compulsory job losses if the offer is not taken up by enough of its employees .

The Bolton News understands that the Lorne Street depot, which has just over 100 staff, will lose 11 drivers, three day-shift staff, three night-shift staff and one office-based post.

Walter Blackwood, managing director of HDNL, said: "We have announced a depot restructure as part of a continuing focus on reshaping the business to better align to the changing face of retailing, including the rise in internet shopping.

"These proposed changes are required to ensure that we have the most effective business structure going forward, so we can create a firm foundation for commercial growth."

The company added that it began formal consultation with affiliated trades unions on March 19.

Ray McManus, senior organiser with the Transport & General Workers' Union, said: "Home Delivery Network has presented its business case for a restructure to the union at a national level, and consultation has begun.

"Obviously, we will be working to secure the best possible terms for our members after their loyalty to HDNL, and we will seek assurances about the company's longer-term plans."

Mr McManus added that he was disappointed at the company's refusal to discuss its long-term plans for Bolton staff. The company's lease on Lorne Street runs out in August, 2008.

Mr McManus said: "We have repeatedly asked the company to work with us about the future for the Lorne Street staff, but HDNL is simply not saying anything. We know the company will leave Lorne Street at some stage, but what are its plans for the workers?"

The company delivers home shopping orders across Greater Manchester and parts of Cheshire from its Lorne Street depot.

Its volume of work has dropped from around 16,000 parcels a day to between 5,000 and 6,000 a day in the past five years.