Terry's chocolate factory was today given almost 5,000 reasons to stay in York.

The Evening Press petition calling for Terry's to remain in the York area - signed by more than 4,700 people from across York, Britain and the world - was handed to factory boss John Pollock.

It was presented by Chief Reporter Mike Laycock, York MP Hugh Bayley, GMB organiser John Kirk and three workers from the factory in Bishopthorpe Road, Wayne Foster, Darren Gray and Carole Cooper.

But even as the petition was being handed over, some workers were fuming over a decision to allow outside businesses to come inside the factory to measure-up machinery.

One angry employee told the Evening Press: "Terry's are really rubbing our noses in it."

He also claimed staff were having to attend business review meetings telling them how well the company is performing - while they faced the dole queue.

But the company said it had reached an agreement with unions that, while the company awaited alternative ideas from the unions, consultation talks about severance pay could continue and management could press ahead as if the factory was closing.

The agreement included "having a number of people on site to look at equipment that might be transferred and potential alternative uses for the site".

Mr Bayley said during this morning's handover ceremony: "The petition shows how strongly people in York are opposed to the loss of Terry's of York." Mr Kirk thanked everyone for the "great support" which had been given to the campaign to Save Terry's.

Terry's said it would give "full and serious consideration" to the petition.

"Our consultation process has been set up to discuss all the relevant information," said a spokesman. "We need to move forward and bring an end to uncertainty, so that we can offer our employees all the support we can."

Updated: 10:39 Monday, June 07, 2004