AN MP plans talks in the hope of keeping part of the former Hopkinsons company in Huddersfield.
Barry Sheerman, Labour MP for the town, was dismayed at last week's news that the Birkby valve maker will axe half its workforce and leave the sprawling Britannia Works site.
But he hopes owners Weir Valves and Controls UK can be persuaded to relocate elsewhere in Huddersfield and keep a manufacturing base in the town that has been its home for more than a century.
Friday's talks will involve Mr Sheerman, senior officials from Weir and executives from Syngenta.
Syngenta owns a huge complex off Leeds Road and Mr Sheerman believes part of the site's spare capacity could provide a new home for the Hopkinsons plant.
Mr Sheerman said: "It is very sad to hear that so many jobs are to go at a company which has been at the forefront of manufacturing in Huddersfield for so long.
"This town gets hit badly when companies do hit problems.
"We have seen many, many jobs go at major firms such as David Brown Gears and Brook Motors and now Hopkinsons is to go the same way.
"I have been working behind the scenes, trying to ensure that the firm retains a presence in Huddersfield and have had positive responses from Syngenta.
"Any move on that site would have to satisfy health and safety requirements, as it is a chemical firm, but I am optimistic about Friday's talks".
Weir will start talks with union officials over the plans for the Birkby site, but it is expected 180 of the 350-strong workforce will lose their jobs.
