PROSECUTORS are being urged to consider corporate manslaughter charges following the deaths of two Rossendale workers at a Merseyside wood recycling plant.

Police on Merseyside have passed an evidence file to the Crown Prosecution Service concerning the deaths of Thomas Elmer, 27, and James Bibbym 25, who lost their lives at the Sonae factory in Kirkby last December.

And Rossendale MP Jake Berry has said he is pressing for serious charges to be levied against the Portugeuse company.

Mr Berry said: “This factory had an awful history in relation to corporate safety.

“If the CPS believe, on the balance of probabilities, that there is a chance of conviction for corporate manslaughter then this is something I would certainly like to see.

“There is no more serious health and safety charge, particularly where someone has lost their life.”

The firm could also be prosecuted for gross negligence or a lesser health and safety offence after the case is reviewed by CPS lawyers.

Investigations are still being conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), into the circumstances surrounding the Rossendale men’s deaths.

CPS lawyers are due to meet with HSE representatives to review progress with the case at the end of this month.

Mr Elmer and Mr Bibby, both from Waterfoot, were both working for Haslingden-based Metso at the Sonae plant when they were dragged into a silo machine, while carrying out maintenance work on a steel chain conveyor.