Up to 400 jobs are on the line at a troubled textile firm as union leaders battle to save its last shreds of manufacturing.

More than 200 workers have already been axed at the W&J Whitehead wool mill, now in receivership, with the remaining spinners' jobs under threat unless a buyer can be found by Friday, August 17.

Union bosses met the receivers, Tenon Recovery, at the Laisterdyke firm yesterday with the prospect of legal action amid anger at the handling of the redundancies.

Peter Booth, TGWU national organiser for manufacturing, said the spinners only had between five and ten weeks' work when they returned from their holidays - after which the 400 jobs could be axed.

He said: "We know there are interested parties and obviously we have to work on that basis, but we don't want to give any false hope.

"We were told by the receivers there was work for between five and ten weeks, after which time they will be looking for other parties to run the spinning business."

The union is also considering legal action amid claims procedures for the handling of redundancies had been ignored.

"We are concerned that the redundancies are being declared by the receivers without any consultation," said Mr Booth.

"Under normal circumstances there has to be a 90-day consultation period. Obviously, calling in receivers means there are difficult circumstances but we still have the right to consultation."

The topmakers and worsted spinners business was set up in 1858 and had been Bradford's biggest remaining wool mill, employing 600 people. But last week 200 workers were laid off.

Terry Rooney, Bradford North Labour MP, said: "We will only know if the jobs can be saved by the deadline for offers of August 17.

"By then we will know if anyone is really interested in buying the business or not."

A spokesman for Tenon Recovery said the company did not want to comment.