SILENTNIGHT Holdings has announced the loss of 800 jobs following the closure of its Ducal pine furniture factories in Bridgend and Andover, and the restructuring of its Parker Knoll manufacturing operations.

Silentnight chief executive Nino Allenza has warned that the factory closures, job losses, restructuring and the launch of new Ducal and Parker Knoll ranges will cost the firm between £20 million and £25 million.

The Ducal brand name will live on, though production could move overseas or to Silentnight's Parker Knoll factory.

It acquired Ducal in 2000 for £15 million, but since then it has been partly responsible for heavy losses in the group's furniture division.

Robert Hadaway, owner of Skipton business Pottery and Pine was previously one of Ducal's main stockists and a past Ducal Retailer of the Year.

He mourned Silentnight's decision as the end of an era.

"Ducal has been the leader in pine furniture production for many years and their designs and finish have been the benchmark by which all others were judged," said Mr Hadaway. "In November 2000 the owner, Jeffrey Wiseman, decided it was time to retire and sold his company to Silentnight Holdings. They have since been trying to implement more efficient methods of production, but unfortunately have encountered difficulties along the way.

"As one of the north's main Ducal stockists we are naturally very sorry to lose this fine range of furniture as it reduces the choice for our customers. However, over the last two years we have reduced our emphasis on the Ducal range and extended our displays of alternative quality ranges with similar standards of finish and design, which probably offer a higher level of value for money."

Silentnight blamed several factors for its decision to close the Ducal plants, including competition from cheap imports, delivery problems and an overly complex product range.

It intends to launch two replacement ranges under the Ducal name in July.

News of the restructuring saw the Silentnight share price fall to around 97p, a far cry from the 190p per share offered last September by the founding Clarke family in its bid to take the company back into private hands.

It led to a boardroom battle that resulted in the departure of long serving chief executive Bill Simpson and other senior board members.

The Clarke family company Famco, which holds a controlling interest in Silentnight Holdings, is expected to make fresh efforts to buy back the company.

Despite poor performance in its furniture division, the group's core beds division has continued to turn a profit despite difficult trading conditions.

The group owns six bed brands including Silentnight Beds, in Barnoldswick.