Military contract blow for UK sock maker

Hinckley ? The UK government has cancelled a contract worth
?5 million with a well-known British sock manufacturer, raising fears that the firm may
now have to axe jobs as a result.

Leicestershire-based HJ Hall, famous for its luxury
Pantherella brand of socks, has been supplying the British Armed Services for
more than 80 years with the contract currently accounting for nearly 30% of its
total business.