DISABLED people put out of work by the UK Government have been thrown an employment lifeline.

North Lanarkshire Council has set up NL Industries to take over and run a former Remploy factory in a major expansion of its existing furniture and refurbishing service, Beltane Products in Wishaw.

Beltane now employs 21 disabled people and numbers will be boosted by seven former Rem-ploy staff and three from the council's supported employment service.

NL Industries has an ambitious plan to prov-ide services including kitchen furniture assem-bly, secure document storage, fire extinguisher refurbishment and servicing, and clothing embroidery for school uniforms and the like.

As the business is developed, it is planned to take on another five disabled employees.

The Remploy factory was axed in 2012 when the Westminster Govern-ment withdrew funding from 36 sites employing more than 1500 disabled workers. In Wishaw, 24 staff lost their jobs.

The refurbished factory will be officially opened on December 3, to coincide with United Nations' International Day for Disabled People.

After months of behind-the-scenes work the council secured the lease on the factory in Netherton Industrial Estate to allow NL Industries to take shape.

Council leader Jim McCabe, who opened the facility, said: "The decision to throw these people on to the scrap-heap was a disgrace but we were determined the workforce and business had a viable future.

"We have expanded our operations and NL Industries will continue the fabulous work of Beltane while assem-bling kitchens for our refurbishment prog-ramme by our partners, Mears. But this is just the beginning. Our plans will see NL Industries provide a range of top quality services to the council and other clients."

Anne-Marie Lagota, 48, from Bellshill, was made redundant after 27 years when Remploy shut its doors.

She said: "Losing my job was devastating. I was worried about my home and I was depressed. Since starting with NL Industries I have been able to undertake new training including computer skills. The variety of work opportunities in the plant is exciting."

Stephen Smith, 52, from Wishaw, said losing his job at Remploy was "soul-destroying". He added: "I did voluntary work and went to the job centre every day but it was tough. Now I've got a positive future."

janice.burns@ eveningtimes.co.uk