An electronics firm is to shut in a major blow to business in a small town.

Bosses of Brightlingsea-based Osec say increased foreign competition has led to its demise with the loss of 34 jobs.

The Chapel Road firm has been based in the town since the 1960s. It makes winding products for household appliances such as washing machines and fridges, and the civil aviation industry.

Osec employs 26 permanent and eight temporary staff.

Ormandy and Stollery Electronic Components (Osec) was bought by Morgan Crucible plc in 1987.

David Jones, managing director of sister company MBM Technology said: "Unfortunately Osec is in the middle band of wire winding and a lot of work is going out to the Far East and Spanish competition.

"We lost one of our bigger accounts to the Far East which started the demise.

"We are trying to do everything we can for staff and have contacted the local employment agency to help with application forms, and are trying to get someone from the local Department of Employment to talk about benefits.

"It is very sad for the people who have been very loyal and an extremely good workforce. We will try and do the best we can for them."

He added October was the earliest date for closure but it was more likely to be at the end of the year.

Chairman of Brightlingsea Business Association Des Rowson said: "This will be a sad day for the town. The worrying thing is we need business in Brightlingsea and employers paying a good wage."

Mr Jones said they were also talking to another local winding firm to see if it would take on some of the business and employ some Osec staff.

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