Bradford textile chiefs have made a desperate plea to the Government to save their beleaguered industry.

More than 160 bosses, union leaders and textile and clothing industry representatives yesterday called on the Government to stop using interest rates to control inflation.

They are angry that the Government appears to be ignoring their pleas to act while hundreds of people lose their jobs and mills are on the verge of closure.

They spent yesterday afternoon in the city's Cedar Court Hotel discussing ideas for a battle plan, to be called the Regional Innovation Strategy for Textiles and Clothing.

Industry Minister John Battle addressed the delegates by live TV link from Leeds where he was taking part in a similar event called Regional Foresight.

He said: "Textiles and clothing is a marvellous and diverse industry. The successful businesses I visit tell me that innovation is their lifeblood - a cornerstone of their future profitability. This is why we are working in partnership to help British textiles and clothing industries improve their competitiveness and win a greater share of UK and world markets."

The fact-finding event will be followed by a second meeting next week in which their ideas will be drawn up as a ten-year plan for the industry.

Peter Booth, national secretary of the Bradford-based Textile Group of the Transport & General Workers' Union, said more than 1,000 West Yorkshire mill workers had lost their jobs in the past year and the same number were on short time.

He said: "The industry is now in recession and there is a need for companies to invest more to become stronger and for the Government to do something about interest rates and the strong pound."

David Sutcliffe, chairman of Bradford textile firm Benson Turner, said: "I would like the Government to take more interest in more practical ways of tackling the problem. If the opportunity arises to drag the exchange rate down, that will give everybody in this room something to cheer about."

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