Catalogue giant Grattan is to axe about 200 jobs as a "last resort" measure to slash company costs.

After a thorough efficiency review of the operation, bosses of the Bradford-based company concluded they had no option but to lay workers off.

The move was described as "sad and threatening" by union chiefs who said Grattan had suffered a "disastrous" past 12 months.

The company said that in line with the whole retail sector its 4,000 strong workforce continued to endure difficult trading conditions.

A company spokesman said it had commissioned a three-month review to identify cost-cutting measures.

"It was with great regret that we concluded job cuts would have to take place," he said.

"It is a last resort having looked at every other way to improve efficiency and cut costs.

"Jobs will go. It is a question of how many."

But he added the figure could fall slightly below the 200 mark and stressed many could be accommodated through natural wastage and voluntary redundancies.

He said staff re-deployment had already begun and a recruitment freeze imposed.

Over the coming 90 days, consultations will take place in each department to identify where the jobs will go.

The spokesman said the news would not have been a "bolt from the blue" to the workforce who were aware of the review's aims.

But he said: "It is still extremely sad for those involved."

Grattan chief executive Mike Hawker said: "Like other fashion retailers and mail order catalogues, Grattan continues to face a difficult trading environment which has forced us to review thoroughly all aspects of our operation."

He said: "Every effort has been made to reduce costs and improve efficiency without impacting the workforce, but having made this difficult decision we will offer advice and support to those leaving the business."

Valerie Pew, national officer for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, said: "Grattan, like other similar companies, has faced some difficult times recently and had a disastrous last 12 months.

"We believe the consultation between the company and the union can ensure most, if not all of the losses can be taken up by natural wastage and voluntary redundancies."

She said rationalisation due to the Grattan Freemans merger had played its part in the losses. She added: "It is very sad for the area and it is also threatening.

"Catalogues are a big employer in Bradford and the north in general and you don't expect losses like this around Christmas."

Although the company, based in Ingleby Road, could not rule out further job losses, it believed sufficient cuts had been made to safeguard the future.