A major employer in Preston with links to the city for decades is preparing to leave.

Alstom has announced it will close its site in Strand Road, Ashton-on-Ribble.

Up to 200 jobs could be at risk as the firm relocates to a new facility at Widnes.

Preston MP Mark Hendrick raised the issue during Prime Minister’s questions in Parliament.

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He said: “In the past fortnight, we have heard the announcement of the loss of many hundreds of jobs in Lancashire at BAE Systems sites at Warton and Samlesbury, which comes as a hammer blow to workers and their families.

“Today, I want to raise the proposed closure of the Alstom factory on Strand Road in Preston, which will mean the loss of another 180 jobs. We keep hearing hype about the so-called northern powerhouse, so why are aerospace companies and train manufacturers in the north shedding jobs by the hundred?”

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Alston, who make train parts, opened a new rail academy in Widnes, Cheshire in early October.

A spokesman for the company said: “Alstom has recently opened its new Transport Technology Centre in Widnes in the Liverpool City Region. This site is the natural home for Alstom’s increasingly digitally focussed business and as a result we plan to centralise our technologies and capabilities in this new world class facility – increasing our productivity and competitiveness.

“This will mean leaving the Victorian Preston site by July 2018. Consultation is ongoing with the Trades Union and staff and it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage.”