THE liquidator of the East Lancashire Paper Mill has assured out-of-pocket former employees that they will be treated as fairly as possible.

The company Arthur Andersen was officially appointed to wind up the company at a meeting last week.

Some of the 180 former ELPM workers, made redundant in March, attended, hoping to find out if outstanding overtime would be added to the basic redundancy based on a £230 per week salary.

One of them, Mr Michael Sloan (53), of School Street, said: "We have been informed by the liquidators that when it comes to paying off creditors, their main priority is the shareholders. Workers like me will only get 20 per cent of the additional pay-off we believe we are entitled to. It's disgusting and wicked."

Andersen's refused to comment and are also remaining tight-lipped about how much paper firm St Regis paid for the ELPM the site and assets.