ASSURANCES have been made that the world-class skills and expertise honed over decades at the GSK plant in Ulverston will not be asset stripped if a buyer is found.

At a meeting held today (13) between GSK's global president for global manufacturing and supply and key local stakeholders, a promise was made that the site would not be sold to an unethical company.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said the GSK boss, Roger Connor, was right to come and meet the employees who were left reeling by the news that the North Lonsdale Site could be closed.

Mr Woodcock commented there had been anger amongst the staff following the plug being pulled on a £350m investment plan, but that is was right for Mr Connor to visit a concerned workforce.

He said: "It was a good meeting. It was an important visit for the GSK staff members in particular who got to have their say and question the guy who is holding up his hands and taking the decision and cancelling the biopharm plant."

There were valuable assurances taken away from the meeting. There were concerns that if a buyer was found for the GSK site its assets could be stripped and sold off to the detriment of the town and the hundreds of workers employed there.

Mr Woodcock said during the meeting with Mr Connor, they were told the site would be sold to an "ethical" buyer.

Mr Woodcock said: "He was strong in assuring us that they intended to have a high ethical standard over any buyer. They promised to make sure that they would not sell to an asset stripper."