ACCRINGTON is to get one of the controversial Job Centre Plus offices which bring together social security staff and jobcentres together under one roof.

The new offices were at the centre of national strike action last year when staff argued that they were working in dangerous conditions because glass screens to protect them from irate members of the public had been removed.

The new centre for Accrington, unveiled by the Prime Minister amid plans to step up the Government's welfare reform, has been welcomed by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope and the leader of Hyndburn Borough Council.

It is expected to be in place by the end of January, 2003, although the location is yet to be decided.

Tony Blair highlighted the role of the new centres in the scheme aimed at getting well-paid work for lone parents and disabled people.

They will not be at risk of losing benefits if they refuse jobs but will be called back to the new centres on a much more regular basis for interviews if they remain out of work.

Mr Pope today said: "Screens can create an intimidating atmosphere which promotes bad behaviour and there have been pilot schemes without screens which have been shown to work.

"With regard to payments being stopped this will only apply to people who simply refuse to work.

"If people are unfortunate enough to lose their job they have the right to expect the state to look after them until they find employment."

The Prime Minister has announced plans for 50 new JobCentre Plus offices in towns and cities across Britain in addition to the existing 56 centres. He said there would be 225 up and running by next Spring, covering a quarter of the country.

Coun Ian Ormerod, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: "I think this is generally good news for Accrington and Hyndburn."

A deal, pushed by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), was agreed in April to guarantee the welfare of employees by adding a series of safeguards to the open plan offices.

A local spokesperson for the union said: "The acid test of the Jobcentre Plus safety agreement achieved by PCS members will be its implementation in the new offices."