Glen Dimplex's Morphy Richards subsidiary has blamed sterling's strength and cheap foreign imports for the axing of 120 jobs. It said the redundancies at its factory in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, would occur by the end of September, although it was hoped some workers would go voluntarily. The redundancies will virtually mean the end of manufacturing at the Mexborough plant, which halted production of irons and coffee-makers last year with the loss of 133 workers. "The latest announcement means we will be ending the production of deep-fat fryers, slow cookers and most kettles, although we will continue to make stainless steel kettles.

"It means Mexborough is basically moving from a manufacturing plant to a sales, marketing and distribution centre - although Morphy Richards will continue to manufacture electrical goods at other centres across Britain." The job cuts will reduce the Mexborough workforce to around 400.