Lembit Opik MP : bid to replace jobs

And the mayor of Llanidloes Margot Jones said the closure would have a devastating impact on the local economy.

KTH - which makes diecast products for the motor industry - was part of Sir Geoffrey Robinson's Transtec group before it was taken over by a Midlands-based consortium last year.

Local MP Lembit �pik and fellow Liberal Democrat assembly member Mick Bates have announced an initiative to help the employees find new jobs to replace the 203 axed.

"It's a bleak situation and there's no point in pretending otherwise. But we've got to work through it," Mr Opik said.

Mick Bates AM : "worse than Corus"

'Devastating'

Mr Bates described the job losses as "worse for Llanidloes than the closure of Corus has been in other parts of Wales."

He added: "It's a devastating blow to the community in the short term. Lembit and I have been to the plant to talk with the managing director John Flintham, and with some other members of the Llanidloes team."

Mr Bates and Mr Opik will meet the Welsh Assembly's economic development minister Mike German at the factory on Friday.

The three hope to discuss future employment in Llanidloes.

"Frankly, this is a time when we look to the WDA and the Assembly to help a town that must continue to offer employment to the people facing redundancy," Mr Bates said.

In south Wales, union leaders at Christie Tyler have been meeting with management to discuss the next steps.