DOZENS of workers in the Worcester area are hoping a £40m Government support package will secure their jobs after car giant MG Rover went into receivership.

A number of county firms are linked to the ailing Longbridge firm where 6,000 jobs are now on the line after the collapse of a £1bn deal with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

It is estimated another 18,000 jobs in companies which supply MG Rover - such as Stourport-on-Severn-based Collins and Aikman which supplies instrument panels for the Rover 75 - are also threatened.

Richard Lindoe, vice president of operations at Collins and Aikman said around 20 employees could be affected. Meanwhile, a spokesman for Rover dealer, Startin Rover on Ombersley Road, Worcester said: "We are just watching to see what happens, although it does obviously affect us."

Directors of the dealership - which also has a franchise with Chevrolet - were unavailable for further comment.

Sempal Automotive, of Sherriff Street, Worcester, said the Rover crisis would not affect its business.

The company supplies satellite navigation systems and satellite tracking to showrooms.

"Supplying Rover showrooms is only a small part of our business," said a spokeswoman.

"We won't be affected but obviously it's very sad because it's one of the last British car manufacturers. Anybody in our industry who goes out of business for any reason you can relate to."

The company is due to leave its premises today and move to Gresley Road, Warndon.

This morning, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced a £40m package of support for firms which supply the car giant saying she wanted to give them the "time and support" they needed to make sure they could stay in business.

"We are very sorry to see the problems that have hit the Rover group," said Chris Harvey, head of lobbying and representation at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

"Of course, it is going to have a major impact on firms but it is impossible to say at the moment what that will be.

"But the impact is not going to be as great as it was just a few years ago because there has been a lot of work in helping businesses to diversify," he added.

Meanwhile, a substantial support package will be announced later today to help retrain MG Rover workers affected by the crisis.

Meanwhile, Claire Ainsley, spokeswoman for the Transport and General Workers Union, said the impact on jobs in Worcestershire was still being worked out.

"Clearly there are people beyond Longbridge who are going to be immensely anxious today," she said.

"But the £40m support package shows that the Government is actively involved in trying to secure the future of MG Rover and its supply companies."