BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has spoken of his disappointment after 120 textile jobs in the town were axed.

Workers at Northern Textiles in Sycamore Avenue feared the worst after they were told earlier this year their jobs were on the line after bosses announced plans to move to Yorkshire.

The bad news was confirmed yesterday in a letter to Mr Pike.

The parent company John Cotton's Home Textiles has a base in Mirfield, Yorkshire, and is proposing to consolidate their sales and manufacturing operations.

Bosses said consultation had been carried out with the workforce and the Burnley factory would close by the end of August.

Mr Pike said: "The letter sent to me confirmed that the consultation period had ended and that the Burnley operation would be closing.

"I regret that these jobs will be lost and I feel disappointed that the company were not able to meet with me before taking this decision."

Northern Textiles was founded by businessman Billy Gleave in 1983.

At the time the quilts, pillows and mattress cover manufacturers had a staff of just 28.

In 1995 sales surged to more than £4million when the company won orders from Index, Slumberland and Rosebys.

During the mid-1990s, the firm employed 135 people and turnover was expected to rise to £6million.

In December 1995, the firm was included in a list of Europe's 500 most successful fast-growing businesses.

Nobody from John Cotton's Home Textiles or from the Burnley branch of the GMB manufacturing union was available for comment.