THIRTY four jobs are hanging in the balance at Langcliffe following news that the paper mill could close.

John Roberts Holdings Ltd, who own the former corn mill and cotton spinning mill, have this week announced the possibility of the redundancies, blaming significantly rising energy and other costs as the reason.

The news will also come as a blow to the Friends of Settle Swimming Pool who collect waste paper which is bought by the mill. The money goes towards the upkeep of the pool.

There are also a number of independent haulage contractors who transport the finished product away who are rumoured to be considering selling some of their wagons.

The corrugating and paper conversion operations at the company's Christie's Mill site, just a mile from the paper mill, are not affected by the proposal.

A spokesman for John Roberts Holdings Ltd said in a statement: "After careful consideration of the trading pressures facing paper manufacturing, John Roberts Holdings Ltd has reluctantly decided to consider the possibility of closing its Langcliffe Paper Mill.

"There is little sign of trading conditions in paper manufacture improving and many paper mills have already closed. Langcliffe Mill has been hit over the past two years by significantly rising energy and other costs. The mill has recently received little investment due to a lack of profitability and future capital investment in the current economic climate would not be fundable.

"Consultations have commenced with the mill's 34 employees and their representatives with a view to reducing and mitigating the effects of the proposed closure. If the closure is confirmed following the consultation, every effort will be made to assist employees in finding alternative positions."

District Councillor Richard Welch said he first heard a rumour about the possible closure earlier this week while talking to some of his constituents. He told the Herald it was upsetting to hear the news which would very likely have a knock-on effect for the economy of the area.

"It is very sad as the paper mill is a source of employment for a lot of people and I feel for the families involved. How the economy of the area would manage I don't know," said Coun Welch. He added that work opportunities were likely to be much reduced in the future when Dry Rigg Quarry ceases operation in 2009.

"There is also the repercussion for the swimming pool which takes waste paper to the mill to raise money for its upkeep," he said.

"I've been told that nowadays it's cheaper to import finished paper products from Russia than it is to process it here," he said.

Coun Helen Firth who is chairman of the Friends of Swimming Pool Committee said the announcement was worrying.

"If the closure goes ahead and the company stops collecting waste paper we will have to look to see if there is somewhere else we can take it," she told the Herald.

"We get around £15,000 each year from recycling paper and cardboard which we collect in the trailer and it is used to keep the pool going. This year we want to look at repairing the flat roof because it is leaking. We are very worried about the situation," she added.

Settle Town Council mayor, Coun Geoff Craven, added that the closure would have a knock-on effect for other workers.

"Newhouses' hauliers at Stackhouse do a lot of work from there and I've heard they might have to sell some of their wagons. It's very sad news for a lot of people," he said.

* The mill was converted to paper making by Robert Salmon in 1793. In 1880 the paper mill was bought by Hector Christie and leased to John Roberts. John Roberts and Sons bought it in 1919. John Roberts also owned Kings Mill in Settle, which has since closed and is now converted to apartments.