POLITICAL leaders have described the news that 200 jobs are set go with the closure of the Helmshore MyTravel call centre as a huge blow.

The move follows MyTravel's £2.8 billion merger with German-owned rival Thomas Cook earlier this month.

More than 1,000 jobs in total are expected to be lost at bases across Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Managers have moved swiftly to cut costs and are planning to run the new company from Peterborough, where Thomas Cook is based.

The company expects that if the proposals go ahead, an estimated 2,500-2,800 roles will ultimately be affected across the country, with the planned closure of six sites, including the Rochdale HQ.

MP for Rossendale Janet Anderson said she was very sorry to hear the news about the Holcombe Road site, in Helmshore.

She said: "We were struck one blow when they moved a number of staff to Rochdale and I am very sad to hear that the remaining jobs are to go."

MyTravel, formerly Airtours moved around 1,000 of its workers from the Helmshore to Rochdale more than five years ago.

Leader of Rossendale Council Duncan Ruddick said it was another "huge blow" for the Haslingden and Helmshore area.

"The council is working hard at its regeneration policy and we will be doing all we can to facilitate further opportunities for the people who work there."

Helmshore county councillor Bob Wilkinson said he was appalled at the way staff, especially in Helmshore, had been treated.

He said: "They opened a new building, then they opened another building across the road.

"This raised the hopes of the community, then shut half of the operation down and now it is to shut completely.

"It looks like some of the jobs are to go abroad when we have got a skilled and highly motivated work force in Rossendale."

Fellow Helmshore councillor Joyce Pawson, who is also Mayor of Rossendale, said: "It is disappointing for Helmshore as it is taking business away from the area."

Manny Fontenla-Novoa, joint chief executive of Thomas Cook Group, said: "As many as possible of those whose roles are potentially affected by the news will be offered the opportunity for redeployment within the business, as we are absolutely committed to retaining the skills and experience of all our workforce.

"Some employees will either not want to take up our offer of redeployment or will not be able to do so.

"For those employees we will provide appropriate redundancy packages and full support.

"We will do everything we can to support those employees who are affected through the next few months."

A 90-day-consultation period will now commence before the plans are rubber stamped.