A GOVERNMENT trade minister is to contact bosses at a doomed wiring factory in a bid to force a U-turn.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope met DTI minister Richard Caborn after Leoni announced the planned closure of its Accrington site, which used to known as LucasRists, with the loss of 550 jobs.

"It was a very useful meeting and he was very concerned to hear about the job losses," said Mr Pope.

Mr Caborn agreed to speak to the managing direcor of Leoni Wiring to see if anything can be done to rescue the situation and if not, to co-ordinate assistance for those affected.

He will also contact the North West Regional Development Agency and the Government Office for the North West over the situation.

"I was grateful that he could meet me and I don't think he could have offered to do any more."

Mr Pope is due to meet workers in his constituency tomorrow.

Meanwhile Burnley MP Peter Pike met with trade secretary Stephen Byers in his capacity as a parliamentary officer of the GMB union.

And he revealed that Prime Minister Tony Blair was planning to make a major speech on the problems manufacturing faces.

"He is well aware how important it is to this part of the country," said Mr Pike.

The Burnley MP also said that he believed it was vital for a decision to be made soon on Britain joining the Euro.

"In my view manufacturing's head will always been on the chopping block until we join."