Shock proposals to close a long-standing factory in Harrow have been described as sad and worrying by borough politicians.

Kodak Alaris announced to its workers last week that it's Harrow site was no longer viable for the business.

Around 250 jobs are now on the line as a 45-day consultation with employees and union representatives begins.

Harrow Council's shadow business portfolio holder, Cllr Kam Chana, criticised the administration for not being able to keep hold of a large employer.

He said: "Kodak Alaris is a Harrow institution, and a company I visited to offer support when I was portfolio holder for business, so our thoughts are obviously with the staff who will be affected by this most worrying news.

"The council’s Labour administration wants to attract more large employers to Harrow, but it would seem they can’t even keep hold of the ones we have already.

"Had they spent more time working with Kodak Alaris to keep its business and jobs in Harrow, and less time pressurising developers to cram high-rise flats onto the site, the situation might be very different."

The Labour administration has vowed to help those affected by the potential closure over the coming weeks.

Cllr Sachin Shah, leader of the Labour Group, said through the borough's regeneration programme aims to create thousands more jobs and training opportunities for people in the borough.

He said: "Our thoughts are with the 250 people who might lose their jobs in what must be an extremely trying and unsettling time for them.

"The Kodak factory has been a part of Harrow for as long as I can remember, it’s potential closure will be a sad day not only for the workers, but the whole Harrow community. I remember taking a tour of the site as a school child and this is the end of a chapter for Harrow.

"Harrow Council will do what we can to help those affected find new jobs and over the coming weeks we will be working constructively with all involved to support Kodak’s employees.

"The Labour administration has started the regeneration programme to Build a Better Harrow to give Harrow a long term future through building thousands of new affordable homes, new leisure and cultural facilities and investment into our town centres. As a result we will create thousands of jobs, apprenticeships and training schemes."