THE closure of East Lancs Paper Mill is a bitter blow to its loyal workforce and to the community of Radcliffe. Serious questions have been asked about how the company got itself into such a financial mess and there is little doubt that the action of the administrator sealed its fate.

As the trade union official representing most of the workers, I must commend local MP Ivan Lewis for his determined efforts to save the mill against all the odds. He attended several meetings with creditors in an attempt to get them to reduce payments and write-off debts which were the responsibility of the mill. Despite achieving some success, this wasn't enough to prevent administration.

Mr Lewis could not have done more to demonstrate his commitment to the workforce and his understanding of the mill's importance to Radcliffe. I was also impressed by the contribution of Councillor Barry Briggs, chairman of the Radcliffe Area Board, who did everything he could to offer assistance from the council.

In the weeks ahead, I will be working to ensure the workers receive all their entitlements, and Mr Lewis has offered to intervene with the Government to speed redundancy payments. Local agencies will be striving to find alternative employment for as many people as possible. It is now essential that at least part of the East Lancs site is sold for a use which brings new employment opportunities to Radcliffe.

DAVE HARGREAVES,

branch officer, GPMU, Bolton.