CRUNCH talks have begun between local politicians, business leaders and union representatives after a pharmaceutical giant announced it was pulling the plug on hundreds of millions of pounds of investment.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock this morning (20) chaired an emergency meeting following the news that GSK would no longer be going ahead with the proposed £350m biopharm expansion at its Ulverston site.

Mr Woodcock was joined by GSK's site director Phil Wilson, biopharm lead Pat McIver as well as more than 30 local officials at the Coronation Hall for what Mr Woodcock described as a "full and frank" discussion on the news.

Talking before the meeting got under way. Mr Woodcock said: "I remain bitterly disappointed and let down but there isn't time to wallow in that. We have to get started planning for the coming weeks and months to be able to secure a future for this site.”

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