A united front will be formed between central government, unions and local politicians in order to prevent south Cumbrian job losses.

Alliances are being drawn up as Ulverston braces itself for potential job loses, following the news GSK were looking to sell off their pharmaceutical plant.

On Thursday Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said he had been in contact with life sciences minister, Lord David Prior, asking for government assistance if jobs were put at risk.

After the proposed £350m investment plan at the GSK site was cancelled, it has since emerged the pharmaceutical giant confirmed it was looking to sell its main plant.

The Unite union has issued a statement pledging to do everything in its power to protect the jobs of local workers, whatever the outcome in Ulverston will be.

Unite national officer for the pharmaceutical industry, Tony Devlin, said: "These are skilled jobs that are under threat and we can’t afford to lose such manufacturing posts, with the economic challenges of Brexit looming.

"We will be fighting very hard against any proposal for compulsory redundancies and will be offering the union’s maximum support to our members in the days and weeks ahead at what is a very challenging time."

Gail Bundy, regional officer for Unite, was at a meeting convened by Mr Woodcock at the Coronation hall yesterday.

She said: "It was really positive that we've all got together so quickly, I'm very thankful John got this group together."

Speaking about the mood of the Ulverston workforce she added: "They are trying to stay positive, we don't want to run the town down, we want the message that there are talented people in the workforce - it is our unique selling point."