Staff at Stead McAlpin in Carlisle, which is part of the John Lewis Partnership, were told about the plans on Thursday.

The company said changes were needed to secure the company's future, which had been in some doubt because of a period of difficult trading conditions.

Unions said they were only proposals at this stage.

The company said the general market for printed fabrics had undergone a great deal of change over recent years with an increasing proportion of the volume market being sourced from the Far East and Eastern Europe.

Future business

It also said the relative weakness of the UK retail sector since the beginning of 2005 had put further pressure on the business.

John Lewis commercial director Brendan Sweeney said: "In making the announcement we are of course conscious that it will come as a disappointment to 62 of our partners who will be directly affected by the proposed redundancies.

"We have tried to minimise the impact on partners consistent with our aim of ensuring the future health of the business and the jobs of all those who remain."

A consultation period will now be held and a final decision be made next month.

Alan McGuckin, from the Transport and General Workers Union, said: "I think it would be naive to say that the restructuring would not end in job losses.