TOP-LEVEL talks have been held at Castle Cement in Clitheroe following the shock announcement that 100 jobs are to be axed.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans and district councillor Derek Waller met shop stewards and union representatives to discuss the job losses.

The two-and-a-half hour meeting was attended by senior shop steward Brian Turner, union representative Gary Young and Castle Cement general manager Ian Sutheran.

Castle Cement has announced plans to mothball two kilns and scrap 100 production posts at its Clitheroe works. The move is part of a £15 million modernisation of the plant which will "improve efficiency and environmental performance," company bosses have said.

Although the plan will "safeguard the long-term future of the works," around 100 out of 420 workers will be shed by the year 2001.

"The meeting was called to ensure that as much as possible is done to alleviate the job losses and help those losing their jobs," Mr Evans said.

Union representatives are calling for minimum compulsory redundancies, attractive redundancy payments, access to re-training and an "end to uncertainty" over who is losing their job.

Coun Waller said after the meeting that the job losses were a "body blow" to Clitheroe.

"We must make absolutely certain that all agencies work together to ensure that help is targeted towards those involved. We must ensure that alternative sources of employment are attracted to our area and that relevant training packages are provided as a matter or urgency," he said.

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