MORE than 350 clothing workers face losing their jobs when they return from holiday next week.

Shocked employees at Bentwood in Leigh -- one of the biggest employers in the area and a major manufacturer of Marks and Spencer branded swimwear, nightwear and lingerie -- learned of plans to close the Leigh Road sewing factory on the eve of their annual September break.

A brief statement issued by Bentwood's parent company the Stirling Group PLC, which also has a factory in Bolton, says: "In order to manage production in line with market conditions it has been essential to announce the proposed closure of the Leigh factory. The site will continue to manufacture for some time yet during which consultations will take place. We will of course be placing particular emphasis on doing all we can to assist those affected."

The Stirling Group also plans to reduce manufacturing in Wales to one production unit.

Shocked

Bolton-based GMB branch secretary Graham Wells, speaking on behalf of workers at the Leigh factory, said: "Everyone is very shocked at the announcement. This is Bentwood's largest factory with a big, multi-skilled workforce producing very high quality work for not the highest levels of pay. What else do they want us to do?

"No matter what we do we can't compete with the cheapness of Third World labour. But those price cuts are not being passed on to the customer.

"Bentwood is one of the town's biggest employers -- whole families work at the place.

"They are a good workforce and in the 10 years I've looked after them there has never been a strike.

"The North West used to be a hive of activity in the clothing industry. But successive government's have done nothing to halt the decline."

Mr Wells said he was pleased to hear the government had stepped-in to back the region's car workers but added: "The clothing and textile industry gets nothing. Is it because 90 per cent of workers are women."

Further discussions between management, employees and union representatives and are planned for October 1.