ONLY a few years ago, a job at Spennymoor's Rothman's plant was a prize for any school leaver looking for a steady career.

The company was more than a good employer, it was a generous friend to the town, helping schools, charities and a host of other organisations and propping up the struggling football club.

Spennymoor people reacted angrily on a grim day in November 1999 when the company told its 460 staff it was closing.

The shock news came hard on the heels of an even bigger jobs blow, the shut down of the Electrolux refrigeration plant in April, which had put 650 people out of work in the County Durham town.

Since the last cigarette rolled of the Rothmans production line in June 2000, there have been even blacker days in Spennymoor, particularly at Black and Decker, which is phasing out 950 jobs this year.

Initially, there was hope for the future. A task force led by Sedgefield Borough Council achieved amazing results by helping almost all the Rothmans workers.

Task group chairman Norman Vaulks, the borough's chief executive, said: "In terms of people being resettled, it was a real success story. More than 92 per cent of workers found alternative employment, retired or retrained."

But a business park developed on the Rothman's site by property management company IES still stands empty, despite early claims that it would create 300 jobs.

Even so, Spennymoor's MP, Derek Foster, is optimistic. He has high hopes for a new technology venture on part of the Black and Decker site, where redevelopment agency One NorthEast is investing £1m.

He said: "The Rothmans closure was a particularly stinging blow as the company was a good employer. The town lost a lot when they left.

"Manufacturing is vulnerable, and what has happened in Spennymoor is reflected throughout the UK. We have got to look to build a new future through technology, business services and spin-off enterprises."

This week, borough planners unveiled designs for the centre of Spennymoor which were welcomed by jeweller John Welsh, chairman of the town centre forum.

He said: "The problem with losing jobs is that people go out to work and shop elsewhere as well.

"The new plans are the most positive thing that has happened, but we have had some exciting new cafes and shops opened as well.

"We need jobs to be created, but somehow I can't see it happening, certainly not jobs of the same value as those at places like Rothmans.

"That will never happen."