BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw and workers unions have admitted defeat in their attempt to save a CD factory from closure.

EDC announced two months ago that it was moving its production from the factory in Whitebirk, Blackburn, to another plant in Hanover, Germany, at the end of the year.

The move will lead to the loss of 260 jobs at the CD and DVD manufacturer.

But Mr Straw, who met with bosses of the firm at the Philips Road site, and union leaders said their appeals to save jobs have not been enough to stop the move.

Mr Straw said he had visited the site and met with the company’s chief executive but understood that “hopes are very slim”.

He said: “It is an extremely difficult and depressing situation.

“EDC employs so many highly skilled workers and the closure of the plant will be a big blow to the local economy.”

The company’s 90-day consultation period on the closure plans ends soon and a timetable for staff redundancies will be put in place.

Mr Straw added: “I will be speaking to the company again in the next few days to discuss the options that are available.”

GMB official Graham Coxon said bosses were still adamant that the closure would go ahead.

Mr Coxon said: “No matter what alternative we put to the company we know they are not interested. There is nothing we can do about it.”

He said that 20 workers are set to lose their jobs within days under a voluntary redundancy scheme.

And he said others are despondent about their prospects.

Bosses at the firm said the consultation period is ongoing and declined to comment.