ENVIRONMENT minister Ben Bradshaw has promised to do everything possible to help Bernard Matthews' workers laid off after the bird flu outbreak.Mr Bradshaw met union leaders to hear more about the plight of 130 workers at the Great Witchingham factory who are currently out of work.

ENVIRONMENT minister Ben Bradshaw has promised to do everything possible to help Bernard Matthews' workers laid off after the bird flu outbreak.

Mr Bradshaw met union leaders to hear more about the plight of 130 workers at the Great Witchingham factory who are currently out of work.

He promised the Transport and General Workers Union that everything would be done to allow them to claim benefits as quickly as possible.

The company has laid off 130 workers for a four-week period starting yesterday, blaming “the H5N1 outbreak and the continuing uncertainty that has resulted in the subsequent reduction in the company's sales”.

It has warned that a further 400 to 500 workers may have to be laid off in the wake of the bird flu outbreak at Holton, near Halesworth, which has led to a 40per cent drop in its sales.