Miss Winterton met Halifax and Calder Valley Labour MPs Linda Riordan and Chris McCafferty to discuss protecting HBOS jobs in Calderdale.

The meeting at Halifax Town Hall was described by the two MPs as "positive and productive".

It was the first of two visits for Miss Winterton, the minister for Yorkshire and Humberside, who will be back in Halifax again on Thursday.

Mrs Riordan said: "I am delighted that Rosie Winterton took the time and effort to come to Halifax to discuss these issues in person with Chris and I.

"The fact she is coming back again on Thursday speaks volumes about the work being done to help protect people's jobs and people's futures in Halifax."

She also said the talks were very productive, positive and upbeat.

"The key message I wanted to get across was the need for people's jobs to be protected in the area after the takeover.

Mrs McCafferty said she was delighted there was a joint effort across the borough and beyond to try to safeguard jobs in Calderdale.

"We will continue to do all we can to ensure the HBOS employees in Calderdale are treated fairly," she said.

There will be a public meeting to discuss keeping Halifax jobs in Calderdale in the Nalgo club, Northgate, on Thursday evening at 7pm.