CRISIS talks to extend the life of the BAE Woodford site have failed.

A cross-party group of MPs including Sir Nicholas Winterton plus top bosses from BAE met with Defence Procurement minister Quentin Davies to discuss the possibility of further work at the site which would delay the scheduled closure in 2012 for another 18 months.

They had hoped to secure a contract for three new Nimrod R1 Reconnaissance planes to keep the 1,100 workers in employment, but Mr Davies said they have chosen to use American aircraft due to and intermediate deal to share planes until the new ones are ready.

Sir Nicholas Winterton MP said: "It's a sad day, but no more could be done.

"They gave us an extremely good hearing, but the MOD weren't prepared to back the Nimrod.

"To me it's a disaster, not just because of the the job losses, but because the manufacturing industry is critical to the stability of our economy, creating future jobs, and advancing technology."

Bryan Gee, 82, of Hurdsfield Road, Macclesfield, volunteers at the AVRO Heritage Centre on the site.

The grandfather-of-three, who once worked as an engineer in the experimental department for ten years, said: "It's disappointing.

"They were hoping that they would get some backing but with the Ministry of Defence cuts it's not been possible. It's a shame."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the contract for three new R1 Reconnaissance planes had been put out to tender but BAE Systems package had not been workable.

He said the current RI Nimrod programme in service had to be withdrawn in 2015 and the date when a probable replacement from BAE System would have been built was 2015, which was too late.

He said: "This does not give the minister pleasure in doing this, the last thing he wants to see is British companies losing jobs but it wasn't sustainable and if there is no future for the factory, then there is no future for the factory."

The last Nimrod plane the MRA4 will be delivered to RAF Kinloss in 2012.