Southend politicians today pledged to do all they can to help workers who have lost their jobs.

Tory MP for Southend West David Amess said he was shocked at the news: "It seems likely this has come about as a follow on from September 11.

"It is a terrible blow for any company to lose its workforce, but particularly at Christmas. I can't think of a more awful time for this to happen.

"First we had the announcement from Consignia a few days ago and now this. I would have hoped that the different agencies which are involved will be applying for and getting European money to help these employees find new jobs. I will do whatever I can to help."

David Garston, Southend's executive councillor for regeneration, said the authority would do all it could to help those who may lose their jobs.

He said: "Obviously it's still early days but as always in these cases our economic regeneration department will be looking very closely at this news and it, in conjunction with other agencies, will do all it can to help these workers.

"This is not the first time something like this has happened and it is always rough for the families concerned, especially just before Christmas. The council will be extremely sympathetic and will be offering as much help as possible.

"But it won't be easy -- unemployment stands at more than three per cent in Southend as it is.

"A proportion of those people involved probably live in Southend, but nearby authorities will suffer as well as those workers may well live in areas such as Rochford, Castle Point, Basildon and beyond."

Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East Sir Teddy Taylor said if there was anything he could achieve by speaking to the Government on behalf of the company he would gladly do so.

He said: "It is a horrible situation. BWA was a fantastic organisation with very high standards. "It is a nightmare and I'm afraid one of the many disasters which stems from the September 11 atrocities.

"We have had major airlines collapse which has had a knock-on effect. It would be tragic for a quality company like BWA to go under. If there is anything at all I can achieve by contacting the Government on behalf of the directors I would gladly do it."

Published Monday December 17, 2001