MP Andy Burnham and Atherton Councillor Sue Loudon took centre stage at the Labour Party conference this week to call for Government action on the decline of manufacturing in the Leigh area.

Leigh was thrust into the national spotlight on Monday after the duo addressed the party conference in Bournemouth about the growing problems facing the manufacturing industry.

The area has been hit by a wave of factory closures, which has seen job losses at Electrium, Ingersoll Rand, Peter Miles Engineering firm, Bentwoods and the Vimto factory at Golborne.

The Leigh MP tabled an emergency motion at the Labour Conference to discuss the issue -- and the duo were given the chance to address delegates on the first day.

Mr Burnham said: "One of the crucial tests for this Government will be whether it can regenerate areas like Leigh, loyal to Labour when it needed help. Manufacturing does need more help but we must not kid ourselves that propping up these jobs is the long-term answer.

"Britain's future is not in low-value, high-volume manufacturing. The transition might be painful but it should serve to redouble our efforts to invest in our young people and bring the jobs of the future to Leigh and the North West. If extra money is going in to education from general taxation it should go first not to subsidising university education but to areas like ours to boost staying-on rates."

Labour Cllr Loudon said: "We told delegates that we want the Government to give support to communities like Leigh which has suffered because of a decline in traditional manufacturing in the town. It was a thrill to address delegates. I've never been to a Labour Party Conference, never mind make a speech."