PRAYERS have been said at the construction site of a new business park in Cleckheaton in remembrance of lives lost there during a Luddite uprising of woollen workers more than 200 years ago.

Vicars, the Reverend Brunel James and the Reverend Richard Burge, joined Carl Barnes, the managing director of Barnes (Construction) Ltd at the site of the new Luddite Way Business Park at Rawfolds.

Prayers were said for the forgiveness of the militant stance against the Luddites taken by the Reverend Hammond Robeson, who was vicar at the time of the crisis.

Further prayers were said for the park to become a valuable place for employment and enterprise.

The development of 22 units will be completed by early 2018 and already has several firms committed to moving there.

“We are proud to be able to contribute towards the generation of jobs in Spenborough," said Mr Barnes.

"It is important to maintain skills, manufacturing and quality services.

"Ultimately, any economic improvements in this area can only put us in a stronger position in the north.”