Union officials today called for Government intervention to help safeguard the future of Bradford firm Carpets International.

The Transport and General Workers' Union has demanded support for hundreds of employees whose jobs are under threat at the Rooley Lane firm.

Almost 300 of the firm's 1,200 workers, including 60 in Bradford, lost their jobs last week as receivers PricewaterhouseCoopers cut costs in a bid to keep the business going while a buyer is sought. It is understood the remaining 90 Bradford staff have been told the current order book is likely to sustain the business for less than a month.

The plight of the nation's biggest carpet producer has been blamed on the trend for wooden and laminate floors. But T&G regional organiser Nick Halton said competition from cheap imports was equally responsible. He said it was time the Government matched support given to rivals in countries such as Belgium.