Workers at a Shropshire factory are to lose their jobs when it closes at the end of the month. Norfran Aluminium Ltd, on the Alveley Industrial Estate, near Bridgnorth, said up to 34 people will lose their jobs.

The site will close when the firm moves all of its work to its north east factory.

Managing director Gavin Young blamed a huge rise in electricity prices and a drop in sales for the closure.

He said: “The Alveley site is going to be closed, which means 32 jobs from Alveley will be going and two in the north east. The jobs will be going on January 30.

“Our electricity bill doubled in October which was a real kick in the teeth, and we’ve had a downturn in business like everybody else.

“We made the decision to just move it to one site in the north east because the site is bigger. I’m disappointed to see the Alveley site close, we’ve been there 22 years. The staff are absolutely fantastic, they have been brilliant. But the way everything is at the moment you just don’t know who is going to fall down next.”Norfran Aluminum Ltd specialised in manufacturing aluminum and zinc alloy diecastings.

Alveley Parish Council chairman David Voysey said it was devastating news for the local community.

“Many people from around Alveley and Highley have enjoyed years of stable employment at Norfran,” he said.

Highley Councillor Dennis Bache called the closure a complete disaster for the area. Ludlow MP Philip Dunne added: “This is very bad news for Alveley.”