WORKERS fear for the future of a Stourport-on-Severn motor industry component supplier, which has just shed 11 jobs.

An employee of Dura Automotive Systems, Worcester Road, predicted the site could close within "two-and-half or three years" and production might move to eastern Europe where labour costs are lower.

The worker, who has been with the firm for four years and did not want to be named, said morale was low among hundreds of employees who feared for their futures.

A spokesman for the firm confirmed 11 jobs had been lost, but declined to comment further.

"I know the car industry is trying to cut costs here, there and everywhere, but it's not good to see your own local industry being torn apart," said the employee.

He added that production of cables had been moved to a site in Wales and a separate Stourport site in Baldwin Road earlier this year.

He claimed production of pedal boxes had been moved from Nottingham to Stourport about six months ago in a move that was supposed to safeguard the future of the Wyre Forest site.

But there was "friction" between district workers and those from Nottingham who had been brought in to train them in making pedal boxes.

District employees fear they will be replaced while they are still concerned over the long term future of the site.

"I don't think this place will be here in two-and-a half or three years," added the worker.

"People are worried all the jobs will go to a new factory abroad where they can employ people for a fifth of the Labour costs.

"Some people have worked there for probably up to 30 years but if you speak to anyone there now not one of them is happy."