THE Evening Press campaign to keep Terry's in York is winning heavyweight backing.

City of York Council's executive has thrown its full weight behind efforts to persuade American owner Kraft Foods to reconsider its decision to close the chocolate factory and move production abroad.

Chief executive David Atkinson will personally oversee the authority's attempt to convince Kraft to relocate to another site in the York area.

York MP Hugh Bayley also threw his "wholehearted" support behind the campaign.

"The York manager of Terry's has agreed to meet me on Friday, and I shall be asking him to consider a move to a smaller, more modern factory in York," he said.

"I have already spoken to the economic development unit at the city council and they want to do everything possible to save jobs and to support

anybody whose post is lost."

During an emergency executive debate on the Terry's crisis yesterday, council leader Steve Galloway admitted the council did not know whether it could change a decision made by a multi-national company, particularly if it had been made because of wage rates or product prices.

"But I believe an attempt should be made and that the council should give its full support to the campaign to get the decision reversed.

"There will be a steely determination in the city not to take this lying down.

"One of the things that will make them change their minds is the ability to convince them it is not a sound financial decision."

Coun Galloway said York's many benefits would be stressed to Kraft, including its skills and infrastructure, its transport system and links and proud manufacturing history.

The campaign has also won support from the council's Labour and Green groups.

Labour leader Dave Merrett said: "I warmly welcome the campaign to keep Terry's in York. Everything that can be done, should be done to persuade the company to think again."

Green leader Mark Hill said the use of faraway factories would mean more transport and more pollution.

"If Kraft will stay with York, Britons will stay with Terry's," Coun Hill said.

Updated: 10:31 Wednesday, April 21, 2004