DEAR EDITOR - I am totally outraged at the comments made by the leader of Bromsgrove District Council, Cllr Nick Psirides, concerning the fate of UEF and its employees.

He should be pursuing any opening that would enable UEF, formerly Garringtons, to be sold as a going concern.

There is a possibility that a considerable number of jobs - 500-plus - could be in jeopardy, and the majority of employees live in the Bromsgrove area.

Cllr Peter MacDonald is showing more concern about the future of UEF employees, and the effects the loss of jobs would have on the local communities than the leader of the council. Perhaps Bromsgrove has the wrong person leading its council.

It is obvious that a cut in business rates would assist in finding a new owner of the plant.

To remind Cllr Psirides Garringtons, as it was, has been the cornerstone of the Bromsgrove community for more than 50 years.

At one stage it employed 3,500 people.

I am also very concerned about a comment he made that "at UEF plans had already been made", indicating he knows more than the trade unions involved both at local and national levels.

Perhaps he would care to elaborate.

Mick Ball,

Works convenor,

Milton Road,

Catshill,

Bromsgrove.