Mill bosses have been accused of using a new European law designed to cut working hours as a way of squeezing more hours from their workers.

Spinners at British Mohair Spinners in Lower Holme Mills, Baildon, say they were asked if they wanted to cut their hours from 50 to 48-hours under the new European Time Directive.

Some of the workers whose shifts last from 7am to 5pm thought the cut in hours would mean longer lunch breaks or a shorter afternoon shift on Fridays.

But, according to spinner Mary Sare, those who plumped for 48 hours are now working longer because they are no longer paid during their dinner break which has been reduced from half an hour to 25 minutes.

Mrs Sare, who has worked at the mill for nine years, said the mill's ten spinners were not told the consequences of cutting their hours.

She said: "Those doing 48 hours are now working longer than before.

"We were told we had to make a choice but the manager wouldn't give us the details because he said he wasn't allowed to influence us.

"One of the spinners asked if he could have two hours off on a Friday afternoon to pray but that was turned down."

Mrs Sare, who kept working 50 hours a week, said the spinners had been told they could change back to working 50 hours after one month.

Under the newly-introduced Working Time Directive textile workers are only required to work a maximum of 48 hours a week - and must consent to working extra hours.

Managing director Richard Stork and factory manager Jack Gould refused to comment on the situation.

But Peter Booth, national secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union textiles division, said workers should have been consulted about a change in hours.

He said: "The company could end up facing an industrial tribunal because any changes have to be made by consent.

"It is the spinners' right to have input into such changes. In factories where there is union representation we are negotiating with management about this issue now."

John Lambert, director general of the Confederation of British Wool Textiles of which British Mohair Spinners is a member, said he would not comment on the row.

But he added: "The new legislation is a big change and it is inevitable that there will be some problems."

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