The factory is due to close in October 2003

Talks were held in Westminster on Wednesday in an effort to save almost 350 jobs at the Sara Lee factory in County Durham.

Union leaders, company bosses and MPs were joined by officials from the regeneration agency One North East to discuss the situation at the West Auckland plant.

The company is to close in October because of a decision by Marks and Spencer (M&S) to have its exclusive Autograph range made abroad to cut costs.

An action group has now been set up, which is to lobby for the government to place orders for uniforms.

Bishop Auckland Labour MP Derek Foster, who chaired the Westminster meeting, said: "We are going to have to work extremely hard, but there is some hope for the workers at West Auckland.

Plight of members

"The government places orders worth millions of pounds for things like uniforms, and we will be looking at securing some of those orders."

Union leaders have blamed M&S for the plight of their members at the Sara Lee Courtaulds factory.

GMB regional organiser, Derek Cattell said: "We are in this position because of the action of Marks and Spencer.

"We have not given up hope of saving some or all of the jobs, but M&S has to take the responsibility for what is happening."

More than 95% of the workforce at the American-owned factory are women.