The BAE Systems yard in Barrow is a major local employer

The Barrow MP John Hutton is trying to win support in a campaign to save shipbuilding in the north west.

Dave Crausby and Neil Turner, the MPs for Bolton North East and Wigan, are due to spend time at the Barrow shipyard with Mr Hutton on Monday.

It is hoped their visit will ensure the future of work at the yard and boost submarine building to the town.

Kevin Coyne, regional secretary of the trade union Amicus, said the visit could prove a real opportunity.

'Critical' work

"It is a very important day for us after the announcement of the 700 redundancies and the removal of the Type 45 destroyer to Glasgow."

"We are now dependent, almost exclusively, on the production of the Astute class submarines.

"Three of these have been announced by the government with an option on a further three, and it is critical that we get that further three.

"The MPs are coming today to assist us in this campaign.

"Importantly, we also need some aircraft carrier work for our designers in the yard in order to retain them.

"There is a lot of work to be done and we need every assistance we can in the lobbying department.

"We think this can change things... importantly we are saying the shipyard does have a future."