TRUSTEES who control the pension scheme for former Crown Wallcoverings workers have been urged to end the uncertainty over its future.

Manufacturing union Amicus said workers who lost their jobs when the company closed its plant at Belgrave Mills, Darwen, in 2003, are still no nearer finding out whether their pensions are safe.

The Imperial Home Decor pension scheme, the final salary pension for former Crown staff, has been registered with the Government's Financial Assistance Scheme, which deals with the pensions of failed companies.

But Amicus is concerned about the length of time being taken to wind the scheme up.

Former employees at Belgrave Mills, and workers from Crown's Morecambe plant, were today due to raise their concerns with the scheme's trustees in a meeting called by Amicus.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "As far as the Financial Assistance Scheme is concerned, everything is in order and things are being progressed as a matter of urgency.

"We hope ex-employees will find out what is happening to their pensions as soon as possible."

It is understood that trustees of the scheme have taken legal advice and are awaiting a court judgment on its future.

Terry Thompson, Amicus's North East Lancashire branch secretary, said: "Our members are very concerned about the lack of progress and are worried about their pensions - they want some answers from the trustees. Former Crown employees have been urged to attend these meetings to hear about the progress of the winding up of the scheme from the trustees."

Around 180 jobs were axed at Crown Wallcoverings in July 2003 after the company called in receivers and the rest of the company's 400 staff went in the following months.

Belgrave Mills is in the process of being demolished to make way for a housing development.