THE Government was last night facing a backlash from Teesside after failing to throw local shipworkers a lifeline.

About 1,000 new jobs are set to be created on the Tyne after Swan Hunter this week won a contract to build two Royal Navy landing ships.

But Cammell Laird, with yards on Tyneside and Teesside, was denied a £200m Ministry of Defence order for six ferries.

Anger boiled over yesterday when Cammell workers on Merseyside threw gloves and other objects as Trade Secretary Stephen Byers visited the yard.

On Teesside, AEEU regional organiser Neville Taylorson said 100 Cammell workers there were already laid off and faced a "bah humbug" Christmas.

Business - Page 1