MORE jobs are being axed as a Runcorn company has been forced to cease the manufacture of gelatine.

Gelatine Products, the UK's biggest producer of edible gelatine, says the situation is completely out of their control and blames the BSE crisis.

The company employs 36 people but it is not yet known how many workers will lose their jobs.

Management is still in talks with unions.

There has been a factory on this site since 1862.

General manager Graham Bethell this week urged local people to boycott France and all French products for causing the job losses.

Speaking exclusively to the World he said: "We have found ourselves in a farcical situation.

"We make gelatine from the hide of cows - the same risk category as milk - that is, zero risk. This is factual, not just me saying it. All the leading world authorities say hide is zero risk material."

Yet following the BSE crisis, they can only buy their raw materials from Europe.

"Our customers are manufacturers and have no problem whatsoever buuing gelatine - they prefer to buy it from us.

"The biggest problem is the French - France has blocked gelatine companies from the UK.

"It's absolutely crazy because we are buying the same raw material from Europe and the other countries the French are trading with, yet because we are in the UK, they won't buy from us."

Mr Bethell said he has even pleaded with the Prime Minister for help but to no avail.

"We have done absolutely nothing wrong," said Mr Bethell. "I have personally written to Tony Blair but without any success. He said don't worry but we can only survive losses for so long."

He said his company will not be closing, but, from now on, will be getting gelatine from its parent and sister companies.

"Some production will stay open," said Mr Bethell. "We will be repackaging, grinding and blending.

"We have an excellent workforce; you couldn't complain about them. They have been brilliant. Good workers will be losing their jobs through no fault of their own. The Government has a lot to answer for.

"I think we should encourage everyone in Runcorn not to go on holiday to France and not to buy anything that is French. I feel very bitter about it."

TGWU convenor Jeff Jones said: The workers are bitterly disappointed in the outcome but have had to accept that business in the UK has collapsed because of the BSE crisis."

Mr Jones said he was arranging a meeting with MP Derek Twigg.

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