PRIME Minister Tony Blair's decision to hold special talks over York's jobs crisis has been welcomed by the region's MPs.

As reported in The Press on Monday, York MP Hugh Bayley has arranged a special meeting with Mr Blair, Trades Union bosses and affected workers, to discuss recent redundancy announcements by British Sugar, Norwich Union and Nestle Rowntree.

Selby MP John Grogan today revealed he too would attend the meeting, and welcomed the premiere's decision to hold the talks.

Mr Grogan said: "York is an economic driver, not just for the city, but for the whole of North Yorkshire. When the York economy sneezes, the whole of the county gets an economic cold.

"The fact that the Prime Minister is personally addressing the economic problems of the city is very much to be welcomed."

Mr Grogan was contacting Mr Bayley yesterday, and said he would join the various people attending the meeting, which will take place after Prime Minister's Question Time next Wednesday.

Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh also cautiously welcomed news of the talks.

She said: "I have already had a meeting with the Prime Minister two weeks ago, which was very pleasant but fairly inconclusive, and I have already been in touch with Yorkshire Forward.

"I think it's great that we are all pulling in the same direction, and certainly welcome any move forward, but it does not change the economic climate in which these companies are operating.

"The Government is quoting a situation in which we have got a very strong pound, and companies are moving abroad.

"Terry's moved abroad; Norwich Union are moving a lot out; and British Sugar's decision is largely due to an international deal.

"I just think it's very late in the day that these companies are making these commercial decisions."

Ms McIntosh said she wanted Mr Blair to specifically address the position of beet growers in North Yorkshire, in light of the impending closure of the British Sugar factory. York was rocked this summer when the three major firms all announced mass job losses.

British Sugar revealed in July that they were shutting their York factory next July; Norwich Union announced 450 job cuts on September 14; and six days later Nestle Rowntree revealed 645 jobs would go as part of a major restructuring of operations at their Wigginton Road plant.