CABLE makers BICC are slashing-out millions in a power switch which will boost its Leigh business.

A BICC Group spokesman said the transfer deal with another major cable manufacturer - Delta plc - would consolidate the Leigh factory's position as the UK's major supplier of elastomeric cables.

A company spokesman said:"This is a significant boost to the Leigh site and will create further opportunities to establish and develop the business.

"The agreement is part of a wider collaboration between BICC Cables and Delta addressing a general over-capacity within the energy cables market and strengthening business opportunities for both companies."

Currently 450 people are employed at the Leigh works.

Of those 250 are involved in the manufacture of elastomeric cables with a further 200 employed in BICC Compounds and BICC Brand-Rex work.

BICC is transferring its UK construction and building wire business to Delta. In a part-exchange deal, which will cost the Group £5.2m, BICC will acquire Delta's power utilities, accessories and elastomeric cables business.

In a separate deal the BICC Group has bought Delta's copper rod and enamelled wire business for £17.8m and is closing its Enfield operation and concentrating production at its Prescot and Huyton factories.

The transaction still has to be cleared by the Office of Fair Trading.

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