THE government task force set up to try and save jobs at the threatened Rover will also help out closer to home.

The group are aiming to help workers at the Rover factory at Longbridge in Birmingham, but will also tackle the problems caused by 450 redundancies at motor components supplier TRW in Burnley.

Industry Minister Alan Johnson promised that the cash and expertise being targeted at the West Midlands would come to East Lancashire as well.

And he told a massive delegation from the former Lucas factory and Burnley Borough Council there should be European Union and government cash to try to cushion the blow of the job losses.

The meeting followed a special Commons debate when town's MP Peter Pike told Mr Johnson that the Government should provide the sort of support and assistance to the firm and its workers it was offering the threatened Rover plant at Longbridge in Birming ham.

After the meeting, promised during the debate, Mr Pike was pleased with the result.

He said: "Mr Johnson said that the Rover task force would not just look at the narrow situation in the West Midlands but at its effects right down the supply chain. "He said that meant that meant it would come to Burnley and TRW which is a supplier to Rover.

"It will bring government grants and expertise to try and help find new jobs and training for workers made redundant.

"He also said there might be European Union and other British government grants to help, particularly with retraining.

"It should help to ensure that workers with families can get cash help with retraining immediately rather than have to wait six months.

"Mr Johnson clearly understood the problems and the delegation were pleased with the result.

"He said Burnley had a record for accessing European Grants and the council is to start working on this aspect at once."

Among those in the 13-strong delegation were Burnley Council leader Stuart Caddy; County Councillor Terry Burns, an expert on the motor industry; full time union officials Mike Cooney and Graham Coxon; and four TRW shop stewards Caroline Kavanagh, Shaun Exton, Paul Sullivan and Gary MIller.

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