COUNCIL chiefs were today meeting administrative receivers Ernst and Young to try to rescue Crown Wallcoverings in Darwen from a closure costing more than 400 jobs.

The American company went into receivership after declining sales in the past five years despite signing up Changing Rooms TV star Linda Barker.

Today officials from Blackburn with Darwen Council Economic Regeneration Unit are meeting Ernst and Young experts.

Later this week they will be discussing the issue with the North West Regional Development Agency.

The move has the full backing of Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson who said that had the firm's American owners invested properly in the firm, the question of closure would not have come forward.

Ernst and Young say there are no plans for redundancies among the 800 staff employed at the sites in Darwen, Morecambe and Middleton.

A spokeswoman for the receivers said a thorough review of the business is being undertaken to try and save it and the jobs -- but warned a big drop in demand for wallpaper had caused the current crisis.

Crown Wallcoverings has produced wallpaper at Belgrave Mills since 1839 and was taken over by the Imperial Home Decor Group Inc. -- the world's largest wallpaper manufacturers -- in 1998.

Coun Andy Kay, in charge of regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We will be working together very closely with the receivers over the coming weeks to ensure that they have access to all the support and funding opportunities available to help the business become more robust and competitive and reposition itself in the global market place."

Mrs Anderson said: "I and the council are doing all we can. Council officials will be meeting the receivers today to talk about the situation.

"They will also be meeting the North West Regional Development Association next week. They will do all they can, with my support, to save the firm. They have set up a special passport to try and do this but if necessary to try and find other jobs in the area for the staff.

"If we can't save the firm we are making contingency plans to try and find jobs for the staff in the event of closure."

Council leader Sir Bill Taylor, said: "We understand that Ernst and Young are working with the workforce to save the business.

"Darwen's economy has received a significant boost over the last few years with 500 new jobs at India Mill and it's position on the motorway network makes it a strong business location for the future."