ONE of Pendle's leading high-tech firms came under the spotlight during a visit by Labour's frontbench spokesman on industry.

Frank Dobson MP toured aerospace firm Euravia and spoke with its managing director Dennis Mendoros, who is also chairman of the consortium of Lancashire aerospace companies.

Mr Dobson said he would discuss the county's leading role in the aerospace industry with his frontbench colleagues, with the possibility of a high level meeting between bosses and MPs in the future.

Pendle Labour councillor Tim Ormrod, who arranged yesterday's visit, said: "The industry is looking ahead to see what kind of policy a Labour government would have with regard to aerospace."

Mr Dobson was joined on the visit by Labour colleagues, Lancashire Central MEP Mark Hendrick, and Pendle MP Gordon Prentice.

He later went on to meet the public at Colne market hall and see the predicament faced by infirm residents living in flats above the hall.

Mr Dobson visited to Colne abattoir Woodhead Brothers, which has had to make 70 staff redundant and put its remaining 200-strong workforce on short-time because of the beef crisis.

Coun Ormrod said: "The firm has around £300,000-worth of beef stock in cold storage which it can't send to Europe."

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