BURNLEY MP Peter Pike today demanded un urgent meeting with company bosses in the town over reports that 450 jobs are under threat.

No-one was available to comment on the report this morning at TRW, formerly Lucas Automotive, which has factories in Rossendale Road and Eastern Avenue.

A switchboard operator at the firm said: "There's nothing we can say at the moment. Everyone is in a meeting today. There may be someone available later today."

American firm TRW took over the company, which makes parts for the car industry, last year when it bought LucasVarity.

Mr Pike said:"I am obviously very concerned at this news. I am trying to find out more as soon as possible.

"I am rejigging my diary for tomorrow in the hope of meeting Lucas management if at all possible."

Before the TRW takeover, union leaders warned that it would lead to British job losses.

"I have told there could be up to 450 job losses there but I have not heard back from our convener yet who is meeting management," said Mike Cooney, regional officer for the Amalgamated Engineering Union, which represents hundreds of workers at the site.

"We should know more later on today."

Last year 120 job losses were announced out of the site's 1,000-strong workforce.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.