STAFF at a threatened textile manufacturers are waiting on a knife's edge to find out if the plant is to close.

Workers at Northern Textiles, Sycamore Avenue, Burnley, are anxious to find out if their jobs are to be axed as part of the re-location programme.

Burnley MP Peter Pike said he is still on the case but has not yet received any correspondence from the company after writing to them several times.

Around 120 jobs could be axed after workers at the textile manufacturers were told earlier this year their jobs were on the line after bosses announced plans to move to Yorkshire.

The parent company John Cotton's Home Textiles has a base in Mirfield, Yorkshire, and is proposing to consolidate their sales and manufacturing operations. Bosses said consultation would be carried out with the workforce, which could result in the closure of the Burnley factory by the end of August.

But Mr Pike said he had written to the company several times to arrange a meeting to discuss maintaining the Burnley end of the operation.

"I am still waiting for a reply from the company. I have written several letters but have not heard anything yet."

Mr Pike has also spoken to the parent company and with the GMB union in Burnley to discuss the options.

Northern Textiles was founded by businessman Billy Gleave in 1983. At the time the quilts, pillows and mattress cover manufacturers had a staff of just 28.

In 1995 sales surged to more than£4million when the company won orders from Index, Slumberland and Rosebys. During the mid-1990s, the firm employed 135 people and turnover was expected to rise to £6million.

In December 1995, the firm was included in a list of Europe's 500 most successful fast-growing businesses.

Nobody at Northern Textiles was today available for comment.