A CAMPAIGN by North-East MPs to halt the threat to close one of the region's biggest defence factories has received union backing.

GMB Northern Region, the North's largest union, has welcomed a Parliamentary motion condemning the plan to shut the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF), at Birtley, near Gateshead, with the possible loss of 300 jobs.

The plant's owner, BAe Systems, will make a final decision on its future next month - along with closure plans for other ROF factories in the UK.

The Commons motion, which has been signed by seven of the region's MPs, calls on the Government to carry out an immediate review of the effect the closures would have on the UK's ability to conduct all of its defence tasks and commitments.

The Birtley plant makes shell casings for the Ministry of Defence and, if it shuts, the contracts will go abroad.

GMB Northern Regional Secretary Kevin Curran said the manufacturing sector had been under great strain for several years, and closing Birtley would be another major blow to the North-East.

"We believe the Government needs to look again at its defence capability in light of this proposal, and strongly urge BAe Systems to think again," he said.

John McWilliam, Labour MP for Blaydon, who tabled the Commons motion, said: "It would destroy the ability of Britain to manufacture small arms ammunition entirely.

"Birtley is an area of high adult male unemployment, and this would be a devastating blow to the area."