THE Corus factory in Llandybie could close before the end of June, the Guardian has been told.

A total of 73 workers at the site are set to lose their jobs after a rescue plan put together by staff was rejected by management.

“The next step is that the company will look to put together some form of closure plan,” said one worker.

“Operations here are likely to end by the end of July if not before – it could all be over sometime in June.”

Another employee said the workforce were disappointed their efforts to secure a lifeline had failed.

“We fully understand the need to radically overhaul the business to enable long-term sustainability, and endorse Corus senior management’s desire to re- structure the business,” he added.

“However, we felt that we put forward a compelling business case that offered an alternative and more viable solution, that would have included retaining Ammanford site functions and the associated business skills as well.

“Corus management, though, were determined to restructure the business activities on a single site in Shotton, and ultimately their decision would not be reversed.”

Now local MP Adam Price and AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas have urged Corus management to ensure the 73 workers due to lose their jobs are given appropriate redundancy packages .

“I am hugely disappointed that the alternative proposals put forward by workers in Llandybie have been turned down,” said Mr Price.

“My office has spoken to union representatives at the site who are very disappointed. “With sadness they have accepted the inevitable that jobs are going to go and now it is a question of ensuring that workers can get the best settlement possible.”

Mr Thomas said they were concerned at suggestions there was inadequate funding for better redundancy packages.

“There is a risk that the goodwill of the dedicated staff at Llandybie will be lost,” he added.

Corus spokesman Roger Dangerfield said every effort would be made to ensure satisfactory redundancy packages. “Corus are not in a particular hurry to close the Ammanford operation because of the logistics in moving to Shotton,” he added.