THE fate of more than 1,000 North-East workers could be sealed today following crunch talks between an electronics firm and union negotiators.

Representatives of staff at LG Philips plants in Durham and nearby Washington are flying to Holland to discuss the future of the factories - and those in Blackburn and Newport - with company bosses.

Fears were raised that the firm planned to close them following the leak of an "internal discussion" document suggesting the possibility of this course of action.

The move, which would result in the loss of 3,000 jobs, would allow LG Philips to save money by shifting the production of tubes for televisions and computer monitors to eastern Europe.

Last week, Danny Carrigan, engineering union Amicus's national officer, who has seen the document, said he believed the company was seriously considering implementing it. He called for urgent talks with company bosses.

Following a meeting in Manchester yesterday, LG Philips and unions representing its staff issued a joint statement saying further talks would take place today.

It said: "No decision has yet been made about the future of plants in the North-East, Newport and Blackburn.

"Workers' representatives will attend the European Works Council in Holland to discuss the situation, and in particular the details of a leaked internal document."