THIS week's job losses are only the most recent in more than a decade of decline in fortune for K shoes workers.

The rot set in 1990 when the firm reported a 30 per cent slump in profits.

In 1990, 1,300 workers were put on short time working and, in 1991, 66 jobs were lost in Askham and Millom.

The following year saw 60 job losses.

In 1993, a further 49 K jobs were lost, but Clarks reassured the workers of its commitment to the area.

The following year a handful of jobs were lost, but in 1995, 100 white collar jobs were transferred from Kendal to Clarks HQ in Somerset and the £2.5 million K Village factory outlet opened.

In 1996 Clarks announced the closure of its factory at Askam at a cost of 245 jobs.

A further 25 jobs were lost in Kendal.

In 1997 Clarks sold K Village for £80 million and later announced improved profits.

In 1998, 17 more workers lost their livelihoods.

In 1999 Clarks reported record profits of £42.5 million but ended production of men's shoes at Kentside with the loss of 105 jobs and closed the Shap factory costing 51 jobs.

A further 74 jobs went at the Gallowbarrow factory.

In the year 2000 46 staff at K's Millom factory were made redundant.

A further 29 jobs were axed in Kendal in 2001.