THE GMB union is holding crisis talks with the Government next month over the future of Swan Hunter.

Tom Brennan, regional secretary of the union, said a meeting with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was "the last roll of the dice" in efforts to secure more work for the shipbuilding yard.

He said the Allseas contract and future contracts with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) were vital.

"We are working very closely with Swan Hunter and One NorthEast to find ways and means to support the Allseas bid," he said.

"We are meeting with the DTI on September 6 and I will be presenting the case for Swan Hunter.

"There's 600,000 tonnes-worth of ships to be built as part of the MoD building programme and it is vital that North-East shipbuilders get a slice of the pie. We have the skills base to accommodate the needs of the MoD."

Swan Hunter has yards at Wallsend, on the river Tyne, and Port Clarence, on the Tees.

"If we don't get something soon, then the skilled workforce will be decimated," said Mr Brennan.