A TOP Government minister met textile workers on a visit to the Colne Valley - and got a case of the blues!

Paul Boateng, chief secretary to the Treasury, toured the Interface Fabrics factory at Meltham Mills.

The company produces fabrics for items such as office chairs and bus seats.

The MP for Brent South was told that blue fabrics were the firm's best-sellers.

But managing director Paul Goodall was able to find samples of red material for the Labour minister to examine.

Mr Boateng was joined on the visit by Colne Valley Labour MP Kali Mountford.

Mr Boateng said the Colne and Holme valleys had seen major economic changes over the past few decades.

He added: "We now have a strong local economy with unemployment halved in the constituency since 1997.

"Local people have much better prospects than during the years of Tory power."

Ms Mountford said Treasury policies had created a strong local economy with more jobs, more investment and more opportunities for local people.

Mr Boateng is to stand down at the next General Election to take up the post of UK high commissioner to South Africa.

Interface marketing manager Ian Burn said: "The minister wanted to see how we were faring in competition with places like the Far East and India.

"He was keen to find out about initiatives we are undertaking with universities to develop skills and technology."

Mr Burn said Interface was enjoying some success, with exports slightly ahead of target and the UK market holding up well.

Interface operates about 80 looms at its Meltham factory and also has offices at Mirfield. In total, it employs nearly 270 people.

The company, owned by US-based Interface Inc, supplies fabrics to customers in more than 80 countries, including France, Germany, Belgium and Hong Kong.