ONE of West Somerset's major employers has sparked an outcry after laying off a third of its workforce.

Troubled Williton firm Riverside Packaging Printers made 19 workers redundant last Friday - just three weeks before Christmas.

And angry union Unite said the company had wanted to make up to 30 staff redundant but backed off when it was warned it could potentially be acting illegally.

Martin Hodges, regional officer for Unite, vowed to fight the lay-offs, believing Riverside bosses had ridden roughshod over the employees' rights.

"The firm has a legal obligation to consult but initially gave the workers just a couple of hours of notice," Mr Hodges told the Free Press.

"They were warned they could face legal action and they probably now think they can get rid of the 30 in two hits - they can't.

"We will be having a series of meetings with them on Monday as the staff are appealing the decision."

He said workers had been told the job losses had to be made to keep the Inland Revenue happy.

"It's the second time they've done something like this," said Mr Hodges.

"We are absolutely disgusted by the way the company has handled it."

No one was available from Riverside to comment as the Free Press went to print.

The company, with premises on Williton's Roughmoor industrial e state, produces packaging for the food, healthcare and confectionary industries and has already been the subject of two management buyouts in the last five years.

Sources said they had been told a new buyer was being sought but no details had been forthcoming, although it was likely the existing management team would be retained.

Earlier this year, Riverside's 59 staff were told their wages and hours would be cut as bosses struggled to keep the firm's bankers on side.

In a memo sent to staff at the time, it was revealed the directors would take a pay cut while other workers would have an hour cut from their working week and wages reduced by ten per cent.

Last year the firm was bought out of administration by a new company controlled by the same directors.

It counts several well-known household names among its customers.