It's the end of an era for a former West Cumbrian factory as plans to flatten the building to make way for homes have been given the green light.

Romar Innovate Ltd was forced to downsize and move to a new home in Cleator Moor last year after losing a multi-million-pound contract with Sellafield.

Plans have now been approved for the old factory, at Ivy Mill in Hensingham, near Whitehaven, to be demolished and 29 houses be built on the land.

When the firm, which supplies work wear and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) lost the contract with Sellafield Ltd last August, it resulted in 16 job losses, pay cuts and the downsizing of the new premises at Leconfield Industrial Estate.

The £11m contract instead went to national company, Arco, which opened a distribution centre at Lillyhall, creating 10 jobs as a result.

Speaking at the meeting this week, where Copeland planners approved the scheme, officer Christie Burns said: "Although this proposal will result in the loss of an employment space within Hensingham, the existing business has been retained and relocated elsewhere within the local area.

"Furthermore as the two adjoining former employment sites are undergoing redevelopment away from employment, it is considered that the site is becoming increasingly less desirable for this use, particularly as it is located within a predominantly residential area."

Romar was originally founded in 1987 by John and Linda Rowlands.