A MAYORESS who is one of 550 workers made redundant at Leoni's Accrington plant has vowed to go to the top in a bid to save her colleagues' jobs.

Coun Sandra Hayes, whose husband, Coun Douglas Hayes is this year's mayor, is among workers who now face a bleak future when the Pickup Street, Accrington, factory closes in November.

Now she is helping to spearhead a campaign which has been launched by union leaders to fight the closure.

Representatives from the GMB, AEU and T&G met with local management to discuss the reasons for the decision announced last Thursday.

"The mood here is turning swiftly from one of shock to anger," said Collette Sims, GMB steward.

"We didn't get satisfactory answers to our questions and we will be lobbying MPs and trying to meet senior management."

Coun Hayes, of Oswaldtwistle, who has worked at the wiring factory for 23 years, says the workforce are bitter at the way the closure has been handled.

Along with her husband, in his capacity as mayor, she has written to Leoni's head office in Germany protesting at the closure, and the way the staff have been treated.

She said: "We will do all we can to help the plant.

"I know just how much it hurts the staff there because I have worked there for 23 years and it came as a complete surprise to us."

She added: "As a workforce, right up until last week we were being told we were Leoni's jewel in their British crown and that they were proud of us. "Only last week we received a trophy for the excellent standard of our work and our efforts towards reducing costs."

Many of the employees have shares in Lucas Rists, which was bought out by Leoni in November.

Older employees, who had expected to retire early on company pensions, have been told their pensions will be frozen until they are 65.

Coun Hayes added: "There were men and women crying there. It is tearing families apart. Many don't know what they will do."

Coun Douglas Hayes said: "This isn't a political issue. I have seen the effect it is having on Sandra's friends and I will do all I can as mayor to resolve the situation."

The council has held talks with bosses at the site to see if anything can be salvaged from the announcement.

All council vacancies will be advertised at Leoni first, with the town's other employers being urged to do the same.

Accrington and Rossendale College, along with the local job centre, will also offer guidance on job applications, interview techniques and writing CVs.