IT is bad news for employees that one company has gone into liquidation and another is to automate production losing 75 jobs.

Administrators called in to Darcy Industries are trying to sell the company as a going concern and safeguard 75 jobs.

At Vernacare 75 jobs will be lost when the production process is automated, though some jobs could be relocated.

Bolton cannot afford to lose almost 150 jobs in one day and what the town needs more than anything is a supply of well-paid secure jobs, not just for those working now, but for their children.

While not wishing to sound Luddite, automation should not go too far - otherwise in the future there could be very few people left with enough disposable income to buy anything.