A PAPER products company run by Manchester City FC chairman and former England star Francis Lee is to move out of Bolton after nearly 25 years in the town.

The news has broken on the very day that Bolton Wanderers meet City in a Premier Division table-propping clash at Maine Road.

Employees of F H Lee, based in Parrott Street, Bolton, say the 200 workers have been told the firm will relocate to premises already used by another section of the company in Trafford Park.

It is understood a new machine has already been installed at Trafford Park, and the rest of the plant and machinery will be transferred starting in January.

One employee, who did not wish to be named, said employees have been promised their own transfer deal. They have been told their jobs are safe and there are no plans for redundancies. Francis Lee, a former Wanderers and Manchester City ace started the paper converting firm - making items such as toilet rolls and kitchen towels - with around half a dozen employees in 1971 while he was still a top soccer star.

It quickly expanded and in 1984 merged with Hazelwood Foods of Derby when Mr Lee sold the company for more than £8 million.

He remained on the board and became a major shareholder of the enlarged firm, continuing to run the paper business.

In 1993 the firm shed 30 jobs when it disposed of the aluminium foil part of the business.

Mr Lee could not be contacted today.

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