ELECTRONICS firm Tamura Hinchley is to stop production in Devizes this summer with the loss of up to 95 jobs.

Employees were told that, because of the substantial losses incurred by the Japanese-owned company in recent months, it was moving production to its overseas factories.

The company's decision mirrors that of vacuum cleaner producer Dyson which announced in February that 800 jobs were to go in Malmesbury when production moves to Malaysia.

Tamura's personnel adviser Brian Ingleson said that global downturn in telecommunications and electronic industries had forced the company to scale down its UK operations last autumn, when its workforce fell from 220 to the present 150.

The continuing strength of the pound over foreign currencies is also blamed for the company's financial situation.

Mr Ingleson said: "The company suffered a substantial loss last year and under the current trading conditions we foresee another large loss this year.

"Also, the cost of manufacturing in the UK is too high to enable the company to be an effective competitor in the world markets."

He said the company greatly regretted having to take the decision to cease production at its Hopton factory. Operations will be scaled down from June onwards with a final closure in August.

Although the company is trying to minimise the impact on the workforce, the closure of the production line could lead to the loss of 95 jobs.

There is no union representation at the factory and management are this week in discussion with staff representatives to look at ways of lessening the impact on workers and their families.

A small staff will be kept on at the Devizes site which will continue as a centre for sales, design, engineering, new product introduction and distribution.

The factory makes mainly power supply units for various domestic appliances, including audio units and TVs.