AN angry shop steward is calling for strike action at a Radcliffe factory which provides jobs for the disabled.

Tony Riley believes a protest should be made at the decision to close nine of Remploy's 87 factories nationwide with the loss of more than 500 jobs during the next three years.

Mr Riley said: "Radcliffe is not scheduled for closure but that isn't the point."

The prospective closures were announced by Remploy's chief executive Tony Withey and Mr Riley has now written to Mr Withey demanding to know what the future holds for Remploy factories and workforces.

The closures have come about because of a freeze on government subsidies.

There will be no compulsory redundancies, instead retiring staff will not be replaced. There is also talk of training disabled people for jobs in mainstream industry.

Mr Riley commented: "There are many people within the organisation who cannot cope with the pressures of working in outside industry, moving to other locations or having to reorganise their working day."

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