Up to 43 jobs could be lost at an East Sussex packaging firm under threat of closure.

Workers were told yesterday that consultation will begin on the possible closure of the two Marcor and Sussex factories on the Castleham Industrial Estate in Hastings.

The businesses have experienced heavy losses in the past financial year, with further losses expected in the period ahead which bosses said was putting them in an "unsustainable position".

They said the problems were caused by a diminishing local workload coupled with market competition.

A spokesman said: "This means that overall market demand is not expected to recover in the near future."

He added: "The workforce has shown great commitment."