ONE of East Lancashire's largest employers has been put up for sale, sparking fears for workers' futures.

Dutch firm Akzo Nobel, which employs about 650 people at its Crown Paints manufacturing site in Darwen, is on the verge of taking over rival chemicals firm ICI.

But the company has been told by the Competition Commission it must sell off its British paint businesses, including Crown in Darwen, for the £8 billion takeover to go through.

The decision was made because of concerns that owning both Crown and ICI, which manufactures Dulux paint, will give Akzo too much of the UK paint market.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Colin Rigby said the news was "concerning".

Coun Rigby said: "There is a very large number of people employed at the company and it is an uncertain time.

"It is a considerable concern because we don't know what the future holds at the site."

Workers' union GMB said that the decision from the Competition Commission was "bitterly disappointing".

Bob Welham, senior GMB convener, said: "GMB is bitterly disappointed with the commission's decision.

"We have informed the company that if the plants have to be sold they must find a purchaser from the industry. GMB is not interested in these three sites falling into the hands of equity capital vultures."

He said the union did not want to scare workers but pledged to watch the sale of the company "very closely" and would fight to make sure the plants were safeguarded in the sell-off.

Darwen MP janet Anderson said: "I am in touch with the trade union which represents the workforce. We will keep a watchful eye on developments and hope we don't have a repeat of what happened at Belgrave Mill (which saw more than 200 people made redundant at Crown Wallcoverings when it closed in 2004)."

Dave Smith, a Labour councillor representing the Sunnyhurst ward in Darwen, said: "It's the biggest employer in Darwen. It is a forward thinking company and has won many awards.

"I know many people who work there. It employs people from the production line right up to researchers and is a vital piece to the economy.

"It would be a massive blow if the site was to close and we need to make sure that doesn't happen to safeguard the jobs."

The deal for Akzo Nobel to takeover ICI will create the world's biggest paint manufacturer.

A spokesman for Akzo Nobel said bosses expected the deal to go through by January 2.

Crown Paints, which is based at Crown House, Hollins Road, Darwen, has been established in the town for over 100 years, also operating as Walpamur.

ICI operated in Darwen from 1940 manufacturing Perspex but the business was taken over in 1999 and is now run by Lucite International.

There are also Crown factories in Hull and Warrington which must be sold.