UNIONS accused a textile giant of betraying it's workers after the shock announcement that a mill was to close with the loss of 230 jobs. The decision by Coats Viyella, Europe's largest textile company, to axe India Mills in Darwen, was condemned from across the political spectrum.

Coats Viyella blamed the closure on low cost imports and the recession and ruled out any last-minute bid to save the business.

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