Although some of the jobs may be transferred to NYK in Brackmills, workers at Blacks told the Chronicle & Echo there was "much anger" about the announcement.

Staff were told on Thursday at a Grange Park hotel that the move was aimed at cutting costs, which have risen with the international price of oil.

One driver, among 19 told they were no longer needed, said: "I appreciate they need to cut costs, but it's the way it's been done that really gets to you. I've worked at Blacks for more than four years, but some of us have been with the company for 20 years.

"We feel like we're being forced into joining another company. If we don't accept, we're made redundant."

The jobs have been cut at Blacks' national distribution depot in Swan Valley, from where drivers deliver as far as Scotland.

But under new plans outlined to staff this week, Northampton drivers will now deliver only to satellite depots, with the rest of journey to be completed by NYK.

As a result, 19 drivers and about half a dozen office workers have been made redundant at the Swan Valley depot. It is believed jobs will be available for drivers at NYK, but only eight of them on current terms.

A Blacks spokeswoman said: "We have put forward a proposal to outsource the transport fleet operating from its distribution centre in Swan Valley Northampton.

"We are currently discussing a partnership with NYK Logistics, which will allow us to reduce fuel costs and improve service to our customers by utilising the logistics infrastructure in place at NYK."

She added that the company was consulting with union representatives and affected workers.

The news comes after Moulton Park-based double-glazing firm Plastmo, which employs 150 people, this week said it was closing its factory.

And holiday home builder Brentmere Leisure, of Earls Barton, also warned its 96 workers that its factory may close.

However, Paul Griffiths, the chief executive of Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, said the county's economy was strong.

He said: "Many firms in both the manufacturing and service sectors reported recruitment activity in the last three months. This is despite the potential redundancies now beginning to be reported."

The Blacks job cuts are set to come into effect in September.