NEARLY 100 North-East jobs are at risk at a heating and plumbing parts maker.

Wavin has revealed plans to shut its plant in Brandon, near Durham City.

The factory employs 96 staff and produces flexible piping for plumbing.

Under the proposals, the company says work will be moved from Brandon’s Meadowfield Industrial Estate to a sister site in Doncaster.

The firm also has plans for further expansion at a base in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

However, bosses said no decision has been made, adding they are consulting with staff to relocate them across the business or help them find alternative jobs.

They said any changes would see production at Brandon stop by the middle of 2016 after a gradual transfer of work away from the region.

Brent Nicholls, Wavin’s South-West Europe managing director, said: “We very much regret the impact the closure would have on our employees and their families at Brandon.

“We are committed to working with their representatives to find ways to mitigate the effect.

“The proposed change will allow us to focus manufacturing in Doncaster and Chippenham, dedicated to specific product groups.

“This will simplify our supply chain and improve customer service.

“The proposals do not reflect on the performance of our staff at Brandon, who have worked hard and demonstrated considerable commitment.”

The announcement is a second major shock to County Durham’s employment landscape after The Northern Echo last week exclusively revealed KP Snacks’ proposals to close its Consett factory and expand production at a sister site in Billingham, near Stockton.

The company employs 103 workers at Medomsley Road, Consett, which makes Phileas Fogg crisps.

The brand is worth £15m a year to the firm and previously put the County Durham town on the map in a television advertising campaign focusing on the fictional Punjab Airways and Consett Airport.

Nick Bunker, KP Snacks chief executive, said the Consett base was under-used, but added no decision has been made on its future.

Any closure would take place next year.

The GMB Union told The Northern Echo it will push for talks with management to keep the posts in the North-East by transferring staff to Billingham or its sister base in Tanfield, near Stanley.