DOZENS of "bewildered" K Shoes factory workers learned their jobs were at risk in a shock announcement yesterday (Thursday), reports Beth Broomby.

Factory bosses told workers that 29 jobs will go from Kendal's Springer Factory on Natland Road this September - some from Millbeck and some from Gallowbarrow.

The news follows previous claims by parent company Clarks International that Springer - which mainly produces sandals - was one of its most successful brands.

Knitwear, Footwear and Allied Trades (KFAT) union branch president George Wells told the Gazette workers had not yet been told whose jobs would be cut.

"Everyone is absolutely furious, and bewildered.

Some of them have been working there for 40-odd years.

Every year they chip away at us with more redundancies."

The union will meet company bosses next week, and plans to fight for fewer job losses and better redundancy conditions.

Clarks International spokes-man Emma Wosskow said the seasonal nature of sandal manufacture had led to the job losses, but assured employees that they would get a redundancy package above the " statutory minimum".

She said efforts to develop products to keep the workforce busy all year had failed.

Kendal Mayor David Birkett said the news was a "massive body blow" and called for Clarks to make a "long term commitment" to the town.

"Clarks need to put something back into Kendal rather than just taking things out," he said.

South Lakeland district councillor Philip Ball, whose ward includes the factory, said he was "shocked and saddened."

"I am very concerned about the loss of these jobs and the impact it will have on the families who have been directly affected and on Kendal.

"

SLDC economic development committee member Coun Chris Mayho, said: "It is another blow for the industries around Kendal at a time when it is still recovering from foot-and-mouth."

l The redundancies are the latest in a long line for the K Shoes factory including 105 jobs at Kentside in January 1999 and 74 job losses at Gallowbarrow in February 1999.