NORTH-EAST MEP Martin Callanan has sparked a row with Darlington MP Alan Milburn, amid fears over the future of the town's Rothmans tobacco factory.

Workers fear a European Union directive to ban the manufacture and sale of cigarettes of more than 10mg tar could see hundreds of jobs lost.

They are backed by Conservative MEP Mr Callanan, who claims the Health Secretary has failed to respond to questions on the issue.

Mr Callanan, who is committed to voting against the directive, said: "I have written a couple of times to Mr Milburn and asked him to publicly support his constituents, but have had no reply.

"I am now writing to him again and hope that this time I will get a reply, and that he will let all the people of Darlington know where he stands on this matter."

Mr Milburn said North-East Tories were shedding "crocodile tears" over the threat to tobacco manufacturing.

He is said to support the directive, believing workers' fears are unfounded.

He said: "During their 18 years they destroyed much of the industry in the North-East.

"Where Rothmans is concerned I have already been in discussions with the workers and the trade unions about the European directive and I plan to continue these discussions."

The EU maximum tar directive is expected before the European Parliament for a vote next month and could be introduced from 2003, although this deadline could be extended.

Opponents say the legislation could lead to jobs going abroad and have a knock-on effect on local economies reliant on cigarette manufacturing.