HOME Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw was angered that no one from healthcare firm SSL -- which is moving its Blackburn factory to Peterlee, Co Durham -- could meet him in person to discuss the situation.

Mr Straw had wanted to meet bosses face-to-face when he came up to visit his constituency yesterday.

Instead Mr Straw had to settle for a lengthy telephone call with the firm's technical director Graham Collyer over the closure of the former Cupal site.

Mr Collyer said he did not want to comment on the content of the discussion with Mr Straw.

"I was not available to meet him in person but we spoke at length on the telephone. I don't think it would be right to discuss what was said in a private conversation."

SSL is closing its Blackburn factory next year and will move to a purpose built new site at Peterlee. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed SSL is receiving a Government grant of up to £2.4million to build the new site -- a grant that would not have been available in the Blackburn area.

Peterlee is classed as an Enterprise Zone by the Government and as such is able to offer grants to attract companies to areas hit by particular economic problems. Durham was granted the special status after the coalfields closed.

Blackburn with Darwen Council had put together a financial package to try and persuade SSL to stay in the town but could not compete with the level of aid Peterlee can offer.