WORKERS who protested by not turning up for work on Monday morning will not be reprimanded by bosses at a Leyland firm -- in fact the action has turned in their favour, securing an increase in redundancy pay.

The unofficial walk-out at Albion Automotive was triggered by an offer of redundancy packages which employees considered inadequate.

The action was taken without the knowledge of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (AUEW).

Despite being up for sale for several months, the Farington Business Park plant has failed to attract a buyer. It will close later this year.

A spokesman for the firm said: "The staff involved in the walk-out will not be punished. It will be treated as a one-off incident."

Negotiations are currently underway between bosses at the firm and union officials over the planned closure which will affect almost 300 workers. AUEW union officer Pat O'Regan said: "Following a discussion on Wednesday morning (March 13) with shop stewards we had a mass meeting and an increase in redundancy pay has been accepted."

It is hoped alternative employment may be found for some staff when the Farington site closes.

"We are talking with Volvo who are offering work for the next three years if that increases then about 50 jobs will be transferred to the Spurrier site," said Mr O'Regan.

Currently the firm employs more than 200 hourly-paid staff and has around 70 salaried clerical employees.

South Ribble MP David Borrow, said he was "deeply concerned" by the recent walk-out by some of the workers, adding: "My office has been in contact with the union leader Austin Senior and offered to meet with company representatives."

Albion Automotive which makes of car components, faces closure due to problems relating to exporting from the UK. "There is a strong currency difference between the pound and the Euro, the car-components that Albion make are hi-tech machines and because of the in-built higher price of British goods it makes it difficult to sell," said the firm's spokesman.

Farington councillor Mark Alcock said: "The sooner we can get into the Euro the better. We have to try to get on a level playing field, we have good products and good management but we need to work in Euros."

Mr O'Regan added: "A couple of the big customers, Rolls Royce and Volvo, have put in large orders now they know we are closing, they need to stock pile until they find a new supplier."

According to Mr O'Regan, Leyland Auto, in Walton Summit, Bamber Bridge, is also making 25 staff redundant. Bosses at Leyland Auto have declined to comment.