One of Clacton's largest companies is to axe more than 50 jobs by the start of next year, it was revealed today.

Bard - one of the leading multinational developers, manufacturers and marketers of health care products - is to sell off its cardiopulmonary business to a newly-created American firm.

It means the production line of those items used in heart bypass operations at the site in Valleybridge Road is set to close down.

David Evans, director of operations, said he hoped most of the jobs would go through voluntary redundancy.

"We currently employ around 250 people here in Clacton and once the sale has gone through, which we anticipate being August 9, we will be asking for volunteers," he said.

"Obviously we hope that will produce a significant number and it would nice if we could achieve the entire number in this way. Some planning to retire at the end of the year will benefit, but others just starting out who were looking for a 40-year career will not."

Mr Evans said the company was keeping staff informed on the sale to LifeStream International, a combination of Bard, which is itself American-based, and two other firms.

The production line of cardiopulmonary equipment would be transferred to its German factory.

A total of 40-45 of the 190 hourly-paid staff at Clacton will be affected along with 15-20 of the 55 clerical positions.

Mr Evans said: "We are probably talking about 55 to 60 jobs in all."

Bard started in Clacton in 1964 as a joint venture between Bard and Davol. Bard then moved to Sunderland and in 1980 bought out Davol.

It transferred back to Clacton in the late 1980s.

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