THE GMB trade union today launched a major recruitment drive at Time Computers' head office in Simonstone in its fight for official recognition.

North West official Neil Holden said the GMB already represented a "large percentage" of the sales staff and was hoping to sign up more members.

A team of regional officials was planning 'factory gate' recruitment sessions for both the morning and afternoon shifts to put pressure on the privately-owned firm.

Mr Holden said Time had refused a request for official recognition which would have allowed the union to negotiate pay and working conditions for the company's 1,000-strong workforce.

Providing it can sign up more than half of the workers, the union can use Government legislation to force the company to the negotiating table.

Following its takeover of Tiny Computers last year, Time is now one of Britain's leading computer manufacturers and it also has a national chain of retail stores that trade under the Computer World brand.

No one from Time was available for comment.