ANGRY Rothmans workers have accused Darlington's Labour group and the local MP of failing to represent the town.

Union representatives met the town council chief executive, Mr Barry Keel, again this week to hammer home fears that recent EU legislation could force 695 redundancies at the Darlington factory.

A detailed report on the impact on the local economy, should the factory close, was discussed, along with revelations that an estimated £333m of British taxpayers' money is subsidising high-tar tobacco farmers in Greece.

However, the delegation left the meeting feeling angry and dismayed, claiming the town's Labour councillors and MP had turned their backs on them in favour of European tobacco workers.

Mr John Bibby, AEEU convenor, retired yesterday after 22 years' service.

As a key union member he has fought long and hard to prove that the legislation banning the production of high-tar cigarettes in Europe will not improve health and will only export jobs to countries outside the EU.

He told the D&S Times that the mood in the factory was black.

"Everybody in the factory is very angry with the council and Alan Milburn. His name is mud here.

"There is not one MP or MEP that can say that the ban will improve health.

"The customers will still be supplied with high-tar cigarettes, but just from a manufacturer outside the EU.

"We have written to every labour councillor to appeal for help to save the jobs of our 695 workers but only one has bothered to reply.

"We have talked to Coun John Williams, the council leader, but he was unsympathetic and very unhelpful.

"The entire Labour group seems to be slavishly toeing the party line instead of representing the interests of the town and its people."

The legislation is due to be ratified in Brussels in January and, once adopted, will become effective by January 1, 2007, but Mr Bibby firmly believes that BAT Industries, owner of Rothmans, will shut down both Darlington and Southampton factories within the next 18 months.

Mr Tony Richmond, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate, said: "The government is prepared to subsidise farmers elsewhere in Europe at the same time as sacrificing the jobs of Darlington workers.

"The effect on the town's economy will be devastating, yet Labour politicians continue to remain silent."

However, Mr Alan Milburn claimed the government was lobbying Europe to end the tobacco subsidies. He told the D&S Times: "The best way of winning the argument and standing up for Britain's interests is to be on the inside arguing, not on the outside carping.

"The Conservatives weakened Britain in Europe and failed to stand up for Darlington in Britain.

"I am holding regular discussions with Rothman's representatives to find a solution."