THE Evening Press campaign to save Terry's went nationwide today - as it emerged that company bosses are refusing even to reply to our open letter calling for a rethink on closure plans.

Scores of delegates attending the GMB union's national conference in Scarborough have agreed to go back to their workplaces and collect signatures for our petition.

Evening Press chief reporter Mike Laycock took to the rostrum at the conference and urged delegates to take our campaign right across Britain.

One delegate, Cath Murphy, said she would even ask other passengers to sign while she was travelling back by train to Scotland, and another, Billy Gaskell, said the proposed closure was part of a national trend for British manufacturing and other jobs to move abroad. "I think it's terrible," he said.

Delegates had earlier unanimously carried a motion deploring Kraft's decision and backing the union's efforts to save Terry's, where there will be a meeting with management next week.

Proposer Linda Lord praised the "staggering" support which had been received from local politicians, businesses and the media, especially the Evening Press.

Delegates within the union's food and leisure section applauded two Terry's shop stewards, Vic Botterill and Tina Robinson, who travelled to Scarborough to seek their support. Vic spoke of the major impact the closure would have on families.

Mike Laycock was also applauded as he told delegates that the paper was co-operating fully with the union in a "desperately difficult battle" to persuade Kraft to think again.

"There are too many jobs, and too much of our manufacturing heritage is at stake, to give up without a fight," he said.

However, Terry's American owner, Kraft, has made it clear there are "no plans" for chief executive Roger Deromedi to respond to our open letter, sent to him 28 days ago.

Our letter called for Kraft to relocate production to a new purpose-built factory in the York area, instead of transferring production abroad.

A Kraft spokesman said the company wanted to engage in "meaningful dialogue" with employees and other interested parties, including the Evening Press, and felt the most productive way of doing this was through face-to-face meetings.

It said Mr Deromedi remained "fully briefed" on the situation.

"However, we do not believe that we can add to anything that we have already said by engaging in written correspondence via the pages of the media."

But Evening Press editor Kevin Booth said today the decision was a snub.

"It appears to indicate a total lack of concern at the top of Kraft in America about the terrible impact of the closure decision for the workers and the entire York community," he said.

The petition has collected almost 3,500 signatures. For forms, phone Mike Laycock on 01904 567132. These must be returned to us by Monday.

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, May 18, 2004