PAPER tissue manufacturers Fort James, who employ hundreds of people in Horwich and Ramsbottom, have denied rumours that they are about to announce massive redundancies.

Word has been circulating around the company's factories at Horwich and Ramsbottom that job losses are planned.

And some workers have said they fear for their jobs as officials tour the plants checking on work routines and manufacturing operations. But a spokesman for the company insisted that although a review of the company's operations is taking place no decision about redundancies has been made.

Staff have been worried since last August when the American owned companies Fort Howard and James River merged to become the world's second largest tissue manufacturers. As a result Fort Sterling and Jamont UK in Britain also come together under the new name.

A Fort James spokesman said: "The company is currently merging both businesses in order to maximise the benefits and eliminate any duplications.

"As part of this process, all aspects of the company's operations are being reviewed to decide what action needs to be taken to support the future development of the group."

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