THE last remaining workers clocked off at Burnley's Prestige plant for the last time today - just six months after the stricken kitchenware company crashed into liquidation.

But as the the factory doors closed for the final time, there was continuing hope of salvaging something from the demise of the famous-brand works.

Council chiefs today announced that 100 of the 330 employees whose jobs were lost, have been found new work in Burnley.

Meyer International, the company which has the brand name and manufacturing rights to many of the Prestige products for £6 million, is still in talks with the council economic development unit with a view to keeping at least some Prestige work on a new site in the town.

And the council has also heard from a number of companies hoping to re-develop the major Colne Road site - probably for a mixture of retail and industrial use.

Burnley Community business New Era Enterprises, has been providing jobs and benefits advice to workers since the first block of redundancies were announced early in the year.

The remaining 100 workers have been completing contracts work for the liquidator, Sue Watson.

Union chiefs say many of the sacked workers are claiming unfair dismissal and their cases will be heard at forthcoming tribunal hearings.

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