More than 60 jobs could be lost in Barnoldswick after one of the town’s main employers announced plans to move part of its operation.

Bosses at bed spring manufacturer Leggett and Platt Springs UK confirmed staff had been informed of the job cuts.

The move will reduce the Barnoldswick workforce to just 44 people being involved with the production of Miracoil units for nearby Silentnight.

A councillor is now calling for urgent talks to prevent the losses, but company bosses said further investment in the site was “not viable”.

The firm plans to move its open coil spring and frame-making production to a new base in Grimethorpe, near Barnsley.

Two years ago around 250 people were employed by the firm in Barnoldswick, but the latest move could see 61 workers lose their jobs.

Due to the location and relationship with Silentnight, the manufacture of its Miracoil spring units and Torsion coil will remain at the Barnoldswick facility along with some other support functions, securing a significant number of jobs.

Graeme Buchanan, general manager, said a 30-day consultation period would explore ways of avoiding, reducing or mitigating the proposals.

He said: “While the company deeply regrets the impact these proposals will have on its Barnoldswick workforce, the current challenging economic and market conditions means that further investment in the ageing buildings is not viable.

“Instead it is proposing to meet the needs of its customers and position itself for the future by focusing its efforts on maximising the returns from its significant recent investments and create a single world class lean facility at Barnsley. In addition, as part of the proposals it is envisaged that there will be a range of positions on offer at the new facility with support where possible to aid employees to consider taking these roles.”

Leggett and Platt is part of Hanes International, a US concern. Barnoldswick councillor David Whipp described the plans as a “major blow”.

He said: “Manufacturing is the lifeblood of Barnoldswick. We must do all we can to keep the company in their Barnoldswick base.”

The Liberal Democrat representative is now asking to meet bosses at the company to see what can be done to retain the jobs.

In a separate move, Silentnight has announced it is merging the independent sales teams of Silentnight Beds and Rest Assured from the end of May, with an expected three job losses. It also plans to merge its commercial sales operations into the Barnoldswick head office, which would result in the closure of the Rest Assured sales office in Batley in the autumn. This would affect seven employees.

Chief executive Neal Mernock said: “As everyone can appreciate these are extraordinary times for any business. But we feel that undertaking these changes will strengthen our business so we are ready for the recovery when it comes.”