The workers have pledged to continue picketing

Sacked workers at a car parts factory in north Wales mark two years on the picket lines on Wednesday.

The dispute over working conditions at the Friction Dynamics plant in Caernarfon still has not been settled, despite a lengthy court case.

An industrial tribunal found they had been unfairly dismissed but the company is now appealing against that decision.

Around half of the 87 workers who walked out have since found new jobs but the others continue a round-the-clock picket line outside the factory gates.

They say they are determined to stay there until the dispute is over - no-one at the company was available for comment.

The staff at the Gwynedd car parts plant were locked out in May 2001 after a 20-month strike over conditions imposed by its managing director - American Craig Smith.

Two years have disappeared from our lives - it is two years that we can never regain John Davies, Striking worker

An employment tribunal at Liverpool last November ruled unanimously they were unfairly dismissed because Mr Smith had made no attempt to resolve the dispute.

But he has lodged an appeal challenging that decision, saying the Caernarfon plant would shut if he did not win.

One of the workers, John Davies, said the continuing strike had been a demanding ordeal.

"Two years have disappeared from our lives - it is two years that we can never regain," he said.

"If you are fortunate to get another job, you can't make those two years up."

Staff at the plant went on a continuous 24-hour strike after the introduction of a pay cut and other changes to working conditions.

Their position has been backed by the TUC and the Transport and General Workers Union.