TRADE unionists are organising with local health services to support workers whose mental health has suffered through Ford’s decision to “walk away” from its factory in Bridgend.

MPs belonging to the Welsh affairs select committee heard from GMB and Unite union officials yesterday as well as local Labour councillor Huw David and Ford of Europe chairman Steven Armstrong.

Over 1,700 jobs have been put at risk by the proposed 2020 closure of the factory, announced in June.

GMB union regional organiser Jeff Beck told MPs: “The decision has been a hammer blow to the workers of Bridgend as a whole.

“The workforce is utterly devastated by the loss of well-paid highly skilled jobs that are not available anywhere else in Wales.

“We have had it agreed with Public Health Wales to help workers, whose self-worth is likely to be negatively impacted upon as a direct result of Ford’s decision to walk away from Bridgend.”