Pat Dale, 47, who has worked at Remploy's plant in Lightowler Road for around 12 years, will be the first person visitors meet when they walk through the door of Remploy's new specialist recruitment branch.

The Todmorden woman, a former town councillor, has also been convenor with the Transport and General Workers' Union at the factory, which employs more than 30 staff.

They were told they had lost their jobs last May in part of a cost-cutting cull that saw 43 sites shut by the Government agency.

Mrs Dale and other workers joined national rallies to campaign against the decision and 15 sites were rescued from closure but the Halifax premises were not on that list.

Now it will shut in March.

Mrs Dale, who has a disability affecting her neck and spine, will work in the new specialist recruitment branch in Bradford, which is due to open in late spring, helping disabled people in the area find sustainable jobs with employers.

She said: "I genuinely care that disabled people have equal access to real jobs and want to put to good use the skills I have learned with Remploy.

"I really am excited by the prospect of being involved with the new branch from the moment it opens its doors."