THE MP for Leigh has said he will do all he can to help the 220 workers who are to lose their jobs at a factory in the town.

Andy Burnham said he would be urging Trade and Industry ministers at the House of Commons to open urgent talks with Volex Powercords.

The Labour MP also said he would be seeking a meeting with the company's management to discuss the handling of redundancies and the long-term future of their remaining operations at Greenfold Way.

Mr Burnham added: "This is devastating news for the families affected.

"They are my immediate priority and I will be doing whatever I can to help over the next few days."

The MP said he hoped the meeting with ministers could help secure funding for retraining the workers made redundant.

The Volex Group is to merge two of its European cable equipment manufacturing units to cut capacity and save money.

Unions are negotiating with managers over redundancy packages for staff, some who have worked at the company for 20 years.

Workers will be kept on until April, with a handful of people left to run the factory as a warehouse with one automated production line.

The company was forced to axe 325 jobs last year and 100 jobs in 1999 because of a more competitive market.