Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik has called on the Government to intervene and save the jobs of 180 workers at a closure-threatened call centre in Mid Wales.

Shop Direct told its staff last month that up to 1,500 of its nationwide workforce could lose their jobs when four call centres close, including one in Newtown, which is the town’s second biggest employer.

Mr Opik raised the matter with Welsh Secretary Peter Hain in the Commons yesterday.

The Liberal Democrat thanked Mr Hain and junior minister Wayne David for contacting the local mayor Joy Jones and Councillor Richard White to discuss the situation.

He said: “I am now approaching other firms to offer Newtown’s Shop Direct premises.

“Is the Secretary of State willing to intervene directly, as it seems to me that that would increase the chances of making such a transfer in order to save 180 jobs?”

Mr Hain replied: “I will certainly do all that I can, as will the junior minister, to help.”

He reassured Mr Opik the unemployment claimant count had fallen consistently during the past four months in the MP’s Montgomeryshire constituency, and now stood at 2.5 per cent.

It comes as administrators announced today that up to 70 staff would be axed from two of Shropshire’s Ethel Austin shops.

About 60 or 70 staff in Shrewsbury and Wellington will lose their jobs after administrators, MCR, confirmed it was starting a closing down sale.

Richard Merrin, of MCR confirmed Shropshire’s three other branches in Oswestry, Market Drayton and Whitchurch will all remain open.