MPs and unions will have a top level meeting with ministers next week to fight proposals to axe 12 Remploy factories including one in Bradford.

It follows conformation today by Margaret Hodge, minister with special responsibility for people with disabilities, that the factories are expected to merged with other Remploy units within three years.

More than a thousand disabled workers, including 40 in Bradford, would be affected by the plan although Mrs Hodge today pledged there would no compulsory redundancies.

The firm's announcement that the factory in Barnard Road, West Bowling, is on the merger list comes after months of uncertainty for the workers - some of whom are severely disabled.

But, despite Mrs Hodge's comments both Remploy and the Minister's London office said no firm decision had been made.

Rumours had swept the Bradford publishing factory since April that it would close because of a merger with Leeds and the workers - some who live as far away as Keighley - would have to go by bus into work.

The GMB, the workers' union, is in negotiation with management and says workers jobs are at risk because many could not make the journey and it could put five hours on to their working days.

Today the Telegraph & Argus was unable to speak to workers at the factory. Bradford GMB official Terry Patten alleged they had been "gagged" and told they could not speak to the press.

"This is totally unacceptable when there livelihoods are at stake," he said.

Mr Patten added: "It has come as a shock but we will continue to fight it. One disabled person has done the journey to Leeds and found it took two hours and 20 minutes."

But Mr Sutcliffe said he had not known of the merger announcement but was meeting Mrs Hodge next week with union officials and other MPs in London next week. He said he was pressing a for a new factory with better facilities in Bradford.

Bradford Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "I am concerned and worried for the future of the staff. We have already made representations."

More than 5,000 people have already signed petitions in Bradford city centre in a bid to keep the factory open. Shop floor workers agreed unanimously at a meeting last week to continue the battle against closure.

Remploy was set up in 1945 as the Disabled Person Employment Corporation to "provide training and productive sheltered employment." It employs more than 11,400 people and receives a large Government subsidy.

Hopes had been raised that the factories may face a reprieve after Margaret Hodge last month announced a complete review of all aspects of the Government's supported employment programme.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.