Sacked workers fight on

The workers are being supported by their trade union

A group of workers in Sheffield are spending their third Christmas locked in one of Britain's longest-running industrial disputes.

It started in April 2001 at the William Cook foundry when the company imposed wage cuts of up to £120 a week.

Workers who took part in a one-day strike in protest were told not to return.

In July 2003, an employment tribunal found over 30 workers had been unfairly dismissed. But William Cook lodged an appeal which will not be heard until January.

The sacked workers are members of trade union Amicus which has pledged to support them to the end of their dispute.

One of them, who has been taking part in picket lines at the Parkway Avenue works, told BBC Radio Sheffield: "It has been very difficult for all of us but it's something we believe in.

"We all have good families. You just have to do without things."