CEMENT workers fighting for their jobs are using French connections to put pressure on their European bosses.

Trade unionists across the Channel are backing 147 staff at Lafarge UK's Blue Circle plant at Eastgate, in Upper Weardale, County Durham, which is due to close in July.

Wear Valley Trades Council contacted the French union CTG at the weekend through contacts in the Paris suburb of Ivry-Sur-Seine, which is Bishop Auckland's twin town.

The immediate response from the CTG was to send a message of solidarity to the Eastgate workforce and a pledge to press the Weardale case with Lafarge's head office in Paris.

Former trades council secretary David Ayre telephoned Madame Meme Cohen, a member of the town twinning association, in Ivry.

Mr Ayres said: "It was important that the French unions knew what was happening. It was a wonderful response from them. We must put pressure on Lafarge in France as well as in the UK."

Blue Circle workers are angry that the company has shunned talks with two potential buyers, a Weardale businessman and a mystery European manufacturer, who are both said to be interested in the Eastgate plant as a going concern.

Their hopes were raised by a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair last week which ended with Weardale MP and Government chief whip Hilary Armstrong being asked to seek further talks with Lafarge.

Billy Wilthew, the GMB shop steward at Eastgate who talked to Mr Blair about the plant, said: "The men are very bitter. They are very encouraged by Tony Blair's interest.

"He had obviously been kept informed about what was happening and knew the area well. I came away feeling he will do what he can to help.