FIFTY jobs are to go with the closure of a York engineering firm established half a century ago.

The closure of Unidare Cutting and Welding Ltd (UCWL), based in Walmgate, has been blamed on the tough trading conditions which its parent group has experienced in the world market.

UCWL managing director Peter Walsh said: "This is a sad time for the workforce, a number of them joining us straight from school."

The firm, which is part of a group parented by Unidare Plc of Dublin, has contacted York-based free learning and work advice service, Future Prospects, in a bid to help its staff find other jobs. The organisation was said to be being "a great help to our people".

Mr Walsh said: "Over the past year, trading conditions that the group has faced around the world have been very challenging.

"The pressures of the world economy and the return on capital needed to support manufacturing have meant that, to face these challenges, the board of Unidare Plc considers it necessary to refocus its resources on its core business activities of distribution."

He added: "It is also a sad time for Mr Robert Boocock, who founded the firm in 1951. He has been a great help to us ever since."

All but three of the 53-strong workforce will be made redundant. The first of those will leave at the end of February next year.

A small number of staff will be kept on the help with the sell-off of machinery and the clearing of the site.

The site will then be handed back to Mr Boocock, who owns it.

Mr Walsh added: "I would like to thank everyone that works in York for their loyalty and commitment during this time and Unidare Plc for the support they are giving the management to help the workforce find new jobs."

Updated: 08:11 Tuesday, December 18, 2001