MAY we thank the caring people who have taken the time to contact the Packet expressing their sympathy for the loyal and committed workers at British Fly Reels (BFR) and the closure of their long-standing factory.

We would also like to note that there has been none or little comment from our local MP or other local political figures. In an area of relatively high unemployment, we find this deafening silence a little disappointing.

We feel the American Orvis Inc Company has not handled the situation in a professional manner. We also feel that Orvis has demonstrated an uncompassionate manner to the distressed workforce by expecting them to instruct the prospective buyers (Chinese) on how to successfully manufacture fly reels.

Orvis have given two primary reasons for the closure of the factory:

1. The Chinese are able to manufacture fly reels at approximately half the cost of BFR; the work force begrudgingly accept this statement.

2. BFR has made a succession of financial losses over recent months.

One of the many immoral aspects of the management is employing people who have recently left secure jobs knowing full well that the company would not be operating in a few months. This leaves a "bitter" taste!

This letter betrays only a snapshot of the disappointment and anger of the workforce. For all of us our way of life will be changed for the worse. To sum up the attitude of the workforce, a spokesperson for the assembly department said: "We have been building fly reels for 20 years, let's make sure that the last one to go out the door is as good as the first one." This statement sums up the pride of the workforce.

Do people honestly think that Orvis will get this commitment from China?

Disillusioned workforce of British Fly Reels (Name and address supplied)