Union leaders want an immediate meeting with electrical group LG Philips as leaked documents suggest that the company plans to close four factories in the UK.

Amicus, the UK's largest manufacturing union, says it has received confidential information which shows that LG Philips is considering switching production to cheaper sites in Eastern Europe.

Factories at risk

Blackburn Durham Newport, Newport County Washington, County Durham

This could lead to a loss of 3,000 jobs in the UK.

LG Philips said it regretted the unauthorised leak of documents, adding that it was discussing many different scenarios and had yet to make a decision.

From West to East

Mike Carrigan, national officer for Amicus, was given confidential notes from internal discussions at LG Philips.

He said these suggested the company could close factories in Durham, Washington (Tyne and Wear), Blackburn and Newport, south Wales.

The notes indicated that the closures would be part of cost-cutting plans to move production from Western to Eastern Europe.

Mr Carrigan, who wants to raise the issue discussed at the TUC conference next week, said: "The closure of the factories, particularly the one in Newport, would come as a complete bombshell."

Rumour mill

LG Philips said on Friday that it had made no decisions as yet.

"There are many different scenarios worldwide which are discussed and evaluated to make sure we are competitive but nothing has been finalised or decided", said the group.

A spokeswoman for LG Philips added that workers would be the first to know of any plans, and criticised whoever had leaked the documents.

"It does not help us or the employees to spread rumours around," she said.