The future of 200 jobs earmarked for the axe is being tackled by an MP seeking Government assistance.

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe is desperately trying to find a way to safeguard the jobs at Carpets International which the company says will go by the end of the year.

He said in a week of immense turmoil for the district, the repercussions of a raft of job losses affecting people across the board could be even more acute.

Management at the company, based in Toftshaw Lane, Tong Street, claims tough market conditions and over-supply within the industry had forced it into 'radical restructuring'.

But Mr Sutcliffe met Government ministers last week to see if top-level backing for a rescue plan could be found and called for support from all sectors of the community.

He said: "These are quality jobs and the effects will be felt right across the district.

"On top of what we have had in the past week, this is the last thing we need.

"We need open talks with the company and ministers to tell them we need lots of support.

"These are skilled jobs that will result in other jobs being lost in companies that rely on their work."

He met various Government ministers on Friday and this week hopes to talk to union and company representatives as part of Carpets International's consultation period.

Mr Sutcliffe said: "It is early days yet, but we want these jobs to stay in Bradford.

"We have to see if there is anything that can be done at any level to keep them here, for example grants or Government assistance."

A statement issued by the company at the time of the job-losses announcement said the Bradford site would cease carpet manufacturing and carpet production by the end of the year.

Twenty jobs are also to go at the firm's Hartlepool site.