A CAMPAIGN to keep an aerospace firm in Burnley has ended in defeat.

Council bosses are understood to have made a number of offers to Gardner Aerospace, formerly known as Pendle Aeroform, to secure the future of the 120-strong workforce at the Hargher Street plant.

Possible moves to the former Michelin site and the new Burnley Bridge business park, at Hapton, are said to be have been discussed with Gardner bosses.

But it has now been confirmed that 90-day notices have been issued to workers at the Burnley site, which makes parts for RAF Typhoons and Airbus A380 craft.

Work carried out at Burnley will be transferred to the company’s other plants in Hull and Ilkeston in Derbyshire.

One former worker, who asked not to be named, said: “This has been on the cards for around five years since the new management team moved in.

“Just as soon as they made Ilkeston their cen-tre of excellence, we knew it was just a matter of time.”

Nick Guttridge, the firm’s business development director said internal restructuring, and the global downturn, was to blame for the closure.

He added: “We have been assessing the number and state of them.

“Market conditions have got tougher recently due to the global downturn and there is continuing market pressure.

“Machinery work currently being done in Burnley will move to a site in Hull while the fabrications and treatment work will move to Derbyshire.

“We will be assisting staff throughout this difficult period and will be encouraging them to apply for jobs at the new sites.”

The announcement is a second blow to Burnley’s aerospace sector after GKN Aerospace, in Dunnockshaw, shut last year with the loss of 56 jobs.