BEING made redundant from your job can be one of life's most traumatic experiences, as many former MG Rover - and before them UEF Garringtons workers - have discovered.

The Bromsgrove district was particularly hard hit when both of these major employers of local labour went into administration.

Several practical moves have been made to help soften the blow, but now those on the dole or about to face redundancy are being offered help of a different kind.

Churches Together in Bromsgrove has organised a special drop-in meeting this Friday, at the Methodist Centre in Stratford Road.

On hand to listen and to talk, will be ministers from local churches and Bromsgrove's MP Julie Kirkbride, who is a member of the task force set up in the wake of the Longbridge plant closure.

The Rev Nigel Marns, vicar of St John's Church, in Bromsgrove, said: "Redundancy causes stress on the person and the family. It sometimes helps to have a neutral listening ear, which is what we hope to achieve.

"We are aware many people in our town have faced redundancy recently from MG Rover, the former UEF Garringtons plant and component industries and we want to give them all the help and support we can."

The meeting runs from 7.30 to 9pm.