Bathroom manufacturer Ideal Standard has outlined proposals to close its Middlewich plant with the loss of 249 jobs.

The closure forms part of a proposal that Ideal Standard International (ISI) hopes will allow it to "restructure its ceramics business" after it has seen decreasing sales volumes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The company also plans to close its two ceramics production sites in France. Overall, there is likely to be 560 jobs lost after the consultation period – 249 of which will be from the Middlewich site.

Ideal Standard said that its Development and Industrialisation centre, currently located in Middlewich, will be relocated to Rugeley, with a "small number of jobs" also being created at the Rugeley site.

The company’s other sites in the UK are not affected by this proposal.

A spokesman for the company said this was a "necessary step", adding that: "This is extremely difficult news for everyone, employees and local communities alike. Ideal Standard UK will do all it can to ease the transition for everyone involved. The UK continues to be a core market for ISI and the company remains committed to maintaining a strong presence there."