THE area's last mill is set to close bringing an end to an industrial era and the loss of 118 jobs.

Workers at the Unit One mill in Atherton got the early Christmas present nobody wanted when they were told the Gloucester Street "Dorma" mill is being axed by CV Home Furnishings - an offshoot of the Coats Viyella textile group.

The closure announcement comes in the wake of recent cut backs which resulted in redundancies in 1996 and the closure in January this year of the group's adjacent Howe Bridge Mill complex.

A company spokesman revealed how until 1996 the group spun all its own material, but trial imports had been introduced.

The spokesman said: "In 1996 about 30% came from abroad, but now all woven fabric will be imported. Unfortunately for Unit One our import experiments worked - quality and delivery is good."

Material now comes from India, Pakistan, China, South America but mainly Indonesia and cost is a major factor in the switch which has led to the company axing 372 jobs at Atherton, Bradley Fold and Horwich.

This week management and union leaders were meeting to discuss closure plans.

Because of the numbers involved there will be a mandatory 90 day consultation period so closure will come in the New Year.

Company sources say the modern, purpose-built Unit One mill will go up for sale alongside Howe Bridge Mill in Flapper Fold Lane.

The Flapper Fold site is earmarked for housing but is still for sale.

And almost opposite the Unit One site stands another empty mill and 90s casualty - the Ena Mill - which a local businessman has earmarked for a business centre revival.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.