CIS change of policy costs 80 North jobs.

More than 80 jobs are to go across the North-East as the Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) closes its nationwide network of offices.

The company is to centralise all its operations in Manchester with the loss of 900 jobs ( around a 10th of CIS's workforce ( as 106 offices close.

However, 350 posts are to be transferred to Manchester to carry out customer contact and administration work previously done in the district offices.

The Transport and General Workers' Union said many long-serving staff felt "anger and betrayal" at the announcement that offices would close by the end of next year, and the union was committed to fighting compulsory job losses. CIS chief executive Mervyn Pedelty said: "Difficult decisions of this kind are not taken lightly and, where jobs are lost, we will make every effort to minimise the need for redundancies.

"We are working closely with those staff affected and our trade union partners and, in keeping with our Co-operative values and social responsibilities, we will look to redeploy staff wherever possible."

CIS employs 84 staff in eight offices in the North-East and Cumbria.

These are in Newcastle Longbenton (14 jobs), Newcastle Gosforth (12), Sunderland (11), Gateshead (9), Stanley (11), Darlington (8), Middlesbrough (12) and Carlisle (7).

Dave McCall of the T&G said many of the workers had long and loyal service to the Co-op. He said: "The T&G is committed to playing a robust role in detailed consultation that will now happen.

"We will make sure that everyone's interests are properly looked after in terms of possible job transfers, relocations or retraining as appropriate. If redundancy remains the only option, we'll oppose any compulsion."

CIS has begun formal consultation with all trade unions.

The company is also considering providing sales support for its financial advisers, who meet CIS customers in their own homes.

Co-operative Insurance Services is part of the wider Co-operative Group which runs supermarkets, convenience stores, a funeral service, a travel agency under the Travelcare brand, and the Co-operative Bank.