JOB loss fears at a Chorley firm are the result of scaremongering, claim bosses.

Workers for support services and catering firm Sodexho -- sub-contracted to VTS at Little Carr Lane -- were worried they would face redundancy after VTS announced it was to close the Vertex Centre.

A spokesman for Sodexho played down the fears, saying: "We employ about 55 staff there and we are going to try and place them all with other companies if we can.

"We work in different client premises and we have a lot of business in the area, so there are opportunities for other roles in different sites."

She continued: "We have got six months which gives us quite a lot of time to find jobs."

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle said he was very concerned about the situation and had been discussing it with United Utilities who own the site.

He suggested if another company could be found to take over the site, Sodexho jobs could be saved.

And he added: "Jobs may be found for the Sodexho workers nearby.

"But people can't always afford to travel if they are part-time or on a lower wage."

Sodexho's spokesman said: "We can't say exactly whether it's going to be the same distance as before for staff to travel from home to work, but at least we will try and offer them work and we will try to do it locally."

She added that it had been Vertex's decision to close the centre and that Sodexho would have to abide by that.

Plans to close the Vertex Centre came to light recently after locals were contacted and told their planned functions at the site would have to be cancelled.

VTS workers have already been told they will not face redundancy when their call centre management and training firm moves out of Chorley next year.