A FORMER Rists employee today gave an insight into life at the stricken plant and explained why it was so important that the jobs should be saved.

For 10 years, Coun John Griffiths worked at Leoni, when it was known as Lucas Rists, as a financial manager.

The picture he paints of life inside the Pickup Street factory is one of a happy dedicated workforce determined to succeed.

John, who left the factory four years ago, told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "It is, and always has been, a family firm with several generations working there at one time.

"It is the families which had grandpa, father and son working there which will be worst affected.

"Something must be done to save those jobs and provide them with hope."

Coun Griffiths, a councillor for Baxenden, added: "It was one of those places where everybody stuck together no matter what.

"People joked with each other and laughed with each other. It sounds a cliche, but it was one big, happy workforce there.

"It will be a devastating loss if that goes now just because products can be produced elsewhere.

"All the staff will be devastated. I still have friends working there and they just don't believe it.

"As a former employee, I know how much the place means to Accrington. The town will be devastated by this and I am sure there must be something we can do to save it."