NINE workers in the leather cutting, or ' clicking', department at Kendal's K Shoes' Springer Factory have been told their jobs no longer exist.

The job losses are the first of 29 being sought by management at the factory, which is owned by Somerset-based Clarks International.

George Wells, branch president of the Knitwear and Footwear and Allied Trades union, explained all nine employees were offered the chance to leave this week or stay on to see if other jobs became available.

Seven are believed to have opted to leave straight away.

Management and union officials will hold talks today (Friday) about the 20 remaining job losses.

He hoped the remaining redundancies would be voluntary.