UNION leaders today voiced fears over 600 jobs after one of East Lancashire's biggest factories was sold to a rival firm in Preston.

The Potterton Myson factory in Padiham, right, has been bought by Baxi Partnership as part of a £480million deal.

Baxi said following the sale it would be looking to rationalise the UK heating businesses it had bought, but would not comment on whether any jobs may be cut.

Union convenor at the plant, Jimmy Ellis today said employees at Padiham were concerned over jobs.

"We're in the dark at moment but we are hoping to meet with Baxi and with their union people as soon as we can.

"Obviously jobs are a big concern but we don't know what the situation is yet."

Building materials group Blue Circle Industries announced in June that it was looking to sell its heating division which includes Potterton Myson.

The division, which is one of Europe's largest makers of central heating products, has operations in the UK, France, Germany and Sweden. Its UK businesses make pumps and valves, Potterton boilers and Myson radiators.

Rick Haythornthwaite, chief executive officer of Blue Circle said: "I believe this is a good deal for all parties at a price which reflects the considerable progress that we have made in the Heating Division in recent years.

"I am confident that the business is well-positioned to develop further under the new partner, Baxi, which has a significant and complementary presence in European markets."

The heating division employs about 2,000 staff in the UK, at the former Main Gas factory in Padiham and at Leamington Spa, Bolton, Kings Lynn, Gateshead and Hull.

Baxi, which is one of the UK's leading heating companies, has a number of factories in the Preston area . It employs about 1,000 staff.

The sale of the division is conditional on approval from regulatory bodies and is expected to take six weeks to complete.

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