AN East Lancashire MP says he will press government ministers to make public a report which could affect 800 jobs in the region.

Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, has a file of recommendations from the Competition Commission on the takeover of the Reality stores - formerly known as GUS - by the Barclay family.

The call centre in Kingsway, Burnley, employs more than 800 staff and union representatives from USDAW have backed the sale.

Burnley MP Peter Pike, who has also called for the sale to be approved, is now demanding to see the contents of the Competition Commission file and its recommendations made public.

There have been fears for the future of the Burnley centre since it was bought by the famous Barclay brothers, Sir David and Sir Frederick, who already own the Littlewoods catalogue and mail order business and department stores nationwide.

The Competition Commission was called in to investigate whether the takeover would have an adverse effect on competition.

GUS employs 19,000 people in the UK and Mr Pike was among a number of MPs who signed an early day motion expressing concern at the potential loss of jobs if the takeover is not allowed to proceed.

The Secretary of State is expected to make her decision in late January or early February.

Mr Pike said: "It is a bad time of year for Reality staff to be waiting to learn what their future holds.

"I think it's important that the information is in the public domain."