HELP for redundant TV tube factory workers is being extended for three months.

The taskforce set up to support employees of LG Philips Displays at Belmont, Durham City, was due to fold at the end of this month.

And although 85 per cent of the workers have new jobs, are in training or starting their own businesses, the initiative is to continue until the end of January.

"The exercise has been successful so we feel we should continue to provide help on a part-time basis to see if we can get more of our people settled," said the company's human resources manager Paul Beasley.

The £1m project, which includes Durham County Council and JobCentre Plus was set up when the Korean/Dutch firm announced the closure of the cathode ray plant in July, and aimed to resettle 90 per cent of the workforce.

The closure, which left 760 people out of work, came despite the Government's offer of £20m to convert the plant to flat-screen production.

It is now believed to be looking to build a £600m flat-screen plant in Poland, where labour is much cheaper.

The task force says 420 workers have new jobs and others have taken up training or retired.

Paul Latimer, 28, from Sacriston, County Durham, has become a tree surgeon.

"I've always enjoyed working in the open air and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to go out there and start my own business," he said.

After clocking up 34 years with the company, Richard Eltringham and David Dark set up Radar Transport at Houghton-le-Spring, which carries hazardous chemicals.

Mr Dark said of the assistance: "It's been second to none."