UP to 90 jobs could go when a delivery firm depot closes in August.

Home Delivery Network (HDN) has entered into a consultation process with staff at its Farnworth base to finalise plans for its closure.

It is feared that around 90 staff may be made redundant if they cannot be redeployed to the firm's other depots in Rochdale, Preston, Blackburn, Warrington or Burslem.

The firm was unwilling to comment on the closure, but said: "Home Delivery Network Limited are currently conducting a local consultation process and are committed to mitigating any potential job losses, so it would be improper to make any further comment at this stage."

The closure first came to light in 2006, when staff were told the depot, in Lorne Street, would close in August 2007.

The lease on the premises was extended by HDN bosses for an extra year. Now the depot is set to close when that extension runs out in August.

One employee, who did not wish to be named, has been issued with a consultation letter, warning of possible redundancies.

He said: "This has been on the cards for two years. We kept asking what was happening and they should have been straight with us sooner."UNITE the Union, which represents many of the workers, said it was working to mitigate job losses.

John Boughton, regional industrial organiser, said: "The people that own the building are not renewing the lease. I spoke to the shop steward today because the company have issued consultation notices. From Monday they will be holding one-on-one interviews with employees. it is hoped that as many jobs as possible will be redeployed to other depots."

Home Delivery Network delivers home shopping orders for Littlewoods.