BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has vowed to do all he can to keep 120 threatened textile jobs in the town.

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

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 would be carried out with the workforce, which could result in the closure of the Burnley factory by the end of August.

But Mr Pike said he had written to the company several times to arrange a meeting to discuss maintaining the Burnley end of the operation.

"I have written to the comapny several times and I am awaiting a reply from them.

"I have also been in touch with the parent company and with the GMB union in Burnley to discuss the options. I would like to meet the company to see if we can keep these jobs in Burnley. "

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.

Burnley's council leader Stuart Caddy has promised to speak to the council's economic development unit to see if there is anything the council could do to keep the jobs in Burnley.