WORKERS want to prove their worth and save one of Ross-on-Wye's leading employers from being shutdown.

Unions claim an economic case for closing the town's Trelleborg factory cannot be sustained when the plant is in profit with orders worth £427,000 on its books.

Trelleborg says tough trading conditions mean moving much of the factory's gasket manufacturing work to Mexico and the rest to another plant near Tewkesbury.

Hereford MP Paul Keetch is to take up the factory's cause with its Swedish owners. Herefordshire Council has offered talks with the company's UK management about what might make them stay.

Melvin Hodges, a senior union steward on the site, says the 148 strong workforce wanted a chance to prove its worth against the findings of a feasibility study that recommended shutdown.

"This is a successful, profitable plant with orders worth £427,000 on the books. There is a feeling amongst employees that the decision to close has been taken too quickly."

A majority of those employees had been with the factory - under various parent company names - for 25 years or more, said Mr Hodges.

The factory had supported Ross for some time, he said.

Trelleborg took over the site last year. The company's case for closure came down to economic and business considerations, said global operations president Roger Kent.

"This proposal has nothing to do with the capabilities and commitment of the workforce."

Trelleborg, said Mr Kent, had experienced tough trading conditions over recent years, including the loss of a major customer. Numerous actions to try and improve performance had not been successful, he said.

As proposed, the shutdown would reduce the site over the next 12 to 18 months. Consultation with the staff association and on-site unions is underway.

Workers met Mr Keetch last Friday. The MP offered an appeal to the company's Swedish owners and approaches to both the Department of Trade and Industry and Advantage West Midlands over options to keep the site open.

Mr Keetch will meet employees again on Saturday.

Herefordshire Council will offer "what help it can in the circumstances", said Geoff Hughes, head of economic development.