JOBS bodyblows again hit Burnley and Pendle today with announcements that a total of 150 workers are to go at two leading companies.

Lucas Body Systems said reduced demand from the motor trade will force it to axe 120 of its 1,000-strong Burnley workforce.

And textile printers Albert Hartley of Barnoldswick announced that another 30 employees are to go - slashing staff to under 100 for the first time in its long history.

The 12 per cent cut back at Lucas was announced to mass meetings at the Rossendale Road and Eastern Avenue car parts factories, leaving union chiefs to link with management in a bid to ensure most job losses are voluntary.

Personnel manager Peter Bagshaw said: "We regret having to take this step but it is vital for the future of the business that we match the size of the workforce to current and future anticipated demand.

Mike Cooney, regional officer for the Amalgamated Engineers and Electrical Union, said there were concerns about the future of the whole Lucas company because of tomorrow's decision on a take-over bid by American multi-national TRW, which could have far-reaching effects on British factories.

In Barnoldswick, Albert Hartley said it had been under severe pressure because of the decline in the textile printing market and there had been short time working at Crow Nest Mill for the past three months.

The company, part of the Manchester-based Coats Viyella group, had already cut 200 jobs over the last three years. Lucas has factories in America producing similar products to those manufactures at the Lucas Body Systems sites.

Mr Cooney said: "Lucas has been affected by the problems Rover has been experiencing. Another problem is also that the decision is imminent on the take-over. If the American company embark on a rationalisation programme it is even more important the Burnley plants are performing well."

He said BMW, owner of Rover, was looking to invest about £1.25bn in the Rover Longbridge plant in Birmingham, but the Treasury was stalling on how much grant aid it would permit the Department of Trade and Industry to give the company.

He said: "They are also looking at possible sites in Eastern Europe and if the Government doesn't agree on its level of investment and Rover goes, it will devastate the industry and the suppliers to that industry, like Lucas."

Mr Cooney said there are also concerns about the future of the company's Aerospace section, in Widow Hill Road.

Lucas merged with US engineer Varity in December 1996 and in March 1997 the company announced it was planning to sell off its press and plating operations and rationalise its two car part manufacturing plants at Rossendale Road and Eastern Avenue on to one site.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.