CAMPAIGNERS demanding better protection for workers are to hold a special remembrance day in Chorley.

Trade unionists will commemorate International Workers' Memorial Day, in honour of people killed in incidents at work and by occupational illnesses.

Officers and members of the AMICUS-AEEU trade union will be out in force in the town centre on Saturday, April 26.

Branch secretary Steve Turner said: "We will be handing out the symbol of the memorial day, which is a purple knotted ribbon, along the health and safety at work information."

The movement is also campaigning for improved health and safety standards through better partnerships with employers, increased rights for trade union safety representatives and severe fines for law breaking employers.

He added: "Many deaths and injuries could and should be prevented if only some employers would manage health and safety properly.

"The punishment for employers who are responsible for the death or injury to workers or members of the public is currently a fine which is generally low.

"If you kill, maim or hurt someone you can expect to go to jail, except if you employ that someone."

The union's demands on the memorial day -- which takes place worldwide on Monday, April 28 -- include:

Government measures to make corporate bodies accountable.

A new law of corporate killing.

Imprisonment for breaches of Health and Safety law.

Mr Turner urged employers to speak to union members about the issues on the campaign day in Chorley.