JOBS at a major East Yorkshire factory will be threatened by tycoon James Dyson's proposal to move his vacuum cleaner production away from Britain, the Evening Press can reveal.

Lay-offs could occur at McKechnie Plastic Components, whose Stamford Bridge factory builds the turbo head which drives one model of the revolutionary bagless design.

They are among 800 jobs which could be lost nationally by the end of this year if the plan goes ahead.

Brian Mann, McKechnie's managing director, plans to visit Dyson's base in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, on Tuesday, to establish the exact timing of its planned pull-out.

He said: "If Dyson goes to the Far East, it will threaten jobs here. That is absolutely clear, not just here but also for other suppliers."

Updated: 11:42 Thursday, February 07, 2002