UP to 126 coke workers are expected to lose their jobs before Christmas as the owners of Monckton announced plans to close the plant.
Redundancy notices were issued on Monday and a 45-day consultation period with staff who work at the Royston plant has started.
Hargreaves, which own the 130-year-old site, announced last month that it was reviewing its future as activities at the plant had been hampered by volatile coke markets and pricing.
Steve Morris, GMB regional officer, said the consultation with staff was due to end on December 11 and expected the plant to close soon after that.
"The plant is linked to a coalfield that no longer exists. It marks the final nail in the coffin of the coal industry in Yorkshire."
Gordon Banham, chief executive of Hargreaves said: "Whilst great progress has been made by the team in improving efficiency and environmental performance over the past ten years, the coke markets have become increasingly challenging for the business.
"I have worked closely with the management team and it is with great personal sadness that we find ourselves having to start this consultation process."
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated October 31. **
