PACKAGING shortages at some of Britain’s largest food and drink outlets are likely after print workers in County Durham launched four weeks of strikes today, their union Unite has warned.

More than 90 staff at the Darlington-based packaging firm Cepac, whose customers include Greggs, Costa, Subway and Pret a Manger, are set to down tools from September 11 over pay and conditions.

Given the “just in time” nature of the food, drink and retail sectors, the company’s customers, which also include Tesco, Asda, Mars and Carlsberg, will “swiftly run out” of supplies, the union predicted.