A GOVERNMENT minister has called on civil servants to search out a way of saving 70 under-threat jobs at a Burnley factory.

John Battle, Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, has also welcomed the efforts of Burnley Labour Party campaigner Carole Gilbraith, who organised a petition and letter-writing campaign to stop the imminent closure of Lucas Verity's compressed natural gas container plant.

In a letter to Mrs Galbraith, the minister says: "I have asked my officials to liaise with other government departments and the local government office to investigate what assistance may be available for the factory."

Just five weeks ago the company announced it would close the Burnley plant because of lack of demand for the 'product of the future.'

Burnley Labour Party's women's group and factory AEEU convenor Terry Burns, launched a robust fight against the proposed shutdown, arguing help was needed to buy time for the plant to become viable.

The minister's letter states: "I am aware of the serious effect the loss of up to 70 jobs will have on the Burnley economy and I welcome your efforts to influence the outcome of this issue."

Mrs Galbraith, the local party's women's officer, said: "I am pleased the minister has had a meeting with the Lucas management and trades union representatives to discuss what can be done to safeguard jobs.

"We cannot afford to let decent employers like Lucas pull out of Burnley without a fight"

She added: "East Lancashire already suffers from the problems created by low pay, and successful technical diversification like the the one being spearheaded by Lucas could provide hundreds of well paid jobs for the area in the future."

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