Seventy jobs are under threat after the owners of a battery factory warned it may close.

AEA Technology said it might shut its Crawley factory after it completes a month-long consultation with its workforce.

Staff could be given the opportunity of relocating to a new plant at Thurso, in northern Scotland.

The company employs 48 permanent staff and uses temporary workers to make up the 70-strong team.

The plant makes high-powered lithium batteries for powering laptops and mobile phones.

AEA Technology say production of battery packs and battery cells should take place at one site.

At the moment, cells are made in Scotland and packs at the factory in Crompton Way, Crawley.

The firm said it would try to find jobs closer to home for people who do not want to move north.

David Loughborough, managing director of AEA Technology Battery Systems, said: "We need to strengthen our battery systems business and we have people at Crawley whose views we need to take into account.

"However, one of the advantages of the Thurso plant is that it offers world class manufacturing technology and excellent expansion opportunities that are not available at Crawley."

The company makes and tests a range of battery systems including nickel cadmium and lithium-ion.

A chemical explosion sparked a fire at the factory earlier this month. Firefighters from Surrey and West Sussex were called to the blaze which started in an area where batteries are tested.

There were no injuries.