A TAX relief move for ex-Rover workers in Bromsgrove has angered former employees at one of the town's major engineering works.

More than 600 former Longbridge workers can apply to have their council tax suspended for four months to help them get back on their feet.

"We want to do all we can to help those workers who now find themselves out of a job," said Kevin Dicks, Bromsgrove District Council's corporate director of resources. "We hope that suspending this payment will be of some benefit to those affected during this difficult time."

But the 500 ex-employees of Garrington's, which was known as UEF when it closed in March 2002, claim they weren't offered the same help though the firm was part of the town's industrial history.

"They certainly should have treated us the same way," said Ben Perry, who is still fighting for the full pension rights of UEF employees. "It seemed everyone was against us at the time and I think there will be plenty said about this. They could still help us if they wanted to."

Councillor Nick Psirides (Ind-Norton) was leader of the council at the time of the Garrington's closure and he said the authority had done everything it could to help keep the firm open.

"We waived nearly £1 million pounds of business rates to try and help the firm. We didn't do anything directly for the workers though, in retrospect, maybe we should have.

"Keeping the firm open seemed to be much more important for the local economy," he said.

Kevin Dicks said the Rover situation differed from Garrington's because the Longbridge factory is outside the district.

"I understand the council at the time tried to save Garrington's and to secure alternative employment through the new technology parks," he said. "We're looking to help out the Rover workers as best we can."

He said the move would not mean an extra cost to other taxpayers in Bromsgrove because the payments were being suspended and not written off.

Leigh Butler, the council's revenues service manager, said any Rover worker applying for suspension of payment would not have to pay the council tax with immediate effect. Forms will then be processed and the payment rescheduled at a later date.

Anyone wanting to apply should visit the Bromsgrove customer service centre in School Drive or call 01527 881288.