Demonstrations planned for Burberry

Demonstrators are planning world-wide Valentine's Day protests against the closure of Burberry's south Wales factory. The protests are planned for Burberry shops in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston, Houston and Paris. British workers will hold demonstrations outside London stores. Campaigners are protesting against plans to shut the Burberry factory in Treorchy at the end of March, with the loss of 300 jobs.

It follows Burberry's announcement on Friday that it is pulling sponsorship of the Bafta nominees' reception after workers planned to demonstrate at the event to be held at the Natural History Museum in London. Trade union GMB is co-ordinating the protests, with activists from sister unions across the world taking part. GMB organiser Mervyn Burnett said: "The protests will be called 'Stop Burberry Breaking Our Hearts'.

"We know America accounted for £72 million in revenue for Burberry last year. Americans aren't going to be best pleased with their plans." Protests were held at Burberry's flagship stores in New Bond Street and Regent Street last month. The campaign has attracted the backing of celebrities including Sir Alex Ferguson, Tom Jones and Emma Thompson.