CAMPAIGNERS have won vital breathing space in the battle to safeguard hundreds of jobs at Southampton's British American Tobacco factory.

New EU regulations meant the manufacture of cigarettes with a tar content of more than 10mg would be banned throughout member states from 2005.

But lobbyists have won a stay of execution by having the ban put back by two years.

The news coincided with the visit of trade union leader Roger Lyons to the factory in Regent's Park.

Mr Lyons, general secretary of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union (MSF), said: "This is good up to a point because it gives us more time to continue lobbying and maybe a chance to change the balance of products here to more low tar."

The factory, which employs 1,200 workers, exports more than 90 per cent of its cigarettes outside of Europe where most people prefer a stronger smoke.

During Mr Lyons's visit, he toured the site and spoke with production workers and management.

He said: "The people here are anxious and they don't know where they are at the moment and can't plan ahead.

"It brings in a very serious stress factor - it affects families, young people don't know whether to take jobs here, and people who are here don't know whether to take other jobs.

"With 90 per cent of the exports here going outside Europe, this place should be getting awards not threats.

"It will be a major own goal for the government and Europe if they continue with this threat."

Dave McKee, branch chairman of the MSF, said: "This was a very important visit because we've had some complaints about the hierarchy of the trade union not supporting us, and he has come today to show he is 100 per cent behind us."