DEMONSTRATORS are set to march through Burnley during a May Day rally to highlight the town's manufacturing crisis.

Trade unionists, MPs and councillors are set to join the march from Burnley Town Hall to Towneley Park on May 3.

The aim is to highlight Burnley's remaining manufacturing industries in a bid to protect their continuity. Burnley has seven main manufacturers left in the town after the likes of Prestige, Mullards, Michelin and Lucas Aerospace disappeared.

Burnley MP Peter Pike is set to show his support at the May Day rally, alongside the town's prospective parliamentary candidate Kitty Usher, and County Councillor Terry Burns.

Coun Burns, who has helped organise the march, is hoping for a good turnout. He said: "We have seen a dramatic decline in this industry over the past 10 to 15 years in Burnley, and we want to ensure we do all we can to protect the remaining industry.

"We have approached the seven remaining industries, such as Gardener Aerospace, Tenico Walker, TRW and Smiths Aerospace and asked them to get involved. We believe that 20 people from each of the factories will be taking part with banners and floats, and there will be representatives from the AMICUS union.

"We are calling on the government to employ a minister for manufacturing and we are asking people to support that."

The march will culminate in a fun day at Towneley Park, which will continue all day. People are invited to join the march, which starts at 11.30am from Burnley Town Hall.