YORK MP Hugh Bayley fears redundant Thrall workers have little chance of finding alternative rail manufacturing jobs on the same site after the wagonworks closes.

The MP was speaking after visiting the factory in Holgate Road to see how axed workers were faring in their search for new work elsewhere.

He met Thrall managers and Future Prospects staff to discover what assistance was being given to staff, most of whom will be made redundant by early December.

The importance of their task was emphasised when he said he currently saw little prospect of any other rail business moving in to the vacated site and taking on the 270 employees who are losing their jobs.

The Evening Press has reported previously that Jarvis was interested in moving to Thrall from its current base across the railway tracks in Leeman Road - a relocation that would be unlikely to provide alternative employment for many redundant Thrall workers.

Mr Bayley has previously confirmed Jarvis's interest, but declined to reveal the identity of a second company which is also known to be interested in the site. He maintained this stance yesterday. However, his comments clearly implied that the second company would not create many more jobs for Thrall workers than Jarvis.

Future Prospects, a city council-backed organisation which helps people facing unemployment to make the most of their skills, moved on to the Thrall site a couple of weeks ago.

Spokeswoman Linda Laverick said it had started by giving a half-hour one-to-one interview with each member of staff to assess their skills and needs.

She said a number of employers, in particular Dixon Motors, had already been in touch to say they were interested in recruiting from Thrall's workforce. But she still wanted to hear from more potential employers.

Before his visit, Mr Bayley had urged Thrall to do more to help redundant staff find work elsewhere. Afterwards, he said he was now satisfied they were working to assist their employees.

Updated: 13:53 Saturday, November 02, 2002