ENGINEERING at Kelbrook's Dotcliffe Mill could cease in 2003 as Earby Light Engineering seeks to consolidate its operations on a single site.

The company, which started life in Earby, now has its head offices at Oak Mill, Colne, but also employs around 100 people at its machine shop at Dotcliffe Mill.

Now ELE Advanced Technologies Ltd is seeking to put all its operations under one roof at a new site in Trawden, allowing the company to grow, invest in new machinery and become more competitive.

The Craven Herald understands that it would be a gradual process, which would lead to the eventual closure of existing premises as machinery and jobs are relocated to the new site.

The company has been looking to consolidate its operations on a single site for some years and it is being seen as a positive move forward.

The Kelbrook site is far from ideal - based in an ageing building, which is too small, too close to people's homes and with poor access. It is unclear what impact the move to a single site will have on staffing levels.

The company is closed for the Christmas break, and no-one was available for comment.