EXTRA support has this week been given to the campaign to open up a job centre in Bordon.

The townÕs MP James Arbuthnot has written to job centre bosses informing them that he would be Òprofoundly disappointedÓ if the facility were not opened in the town.

His letter comes after Jobcentre Plus, which was created through the amalgamation of the Employment Service and parts of the Benefits Agency, put forward proposals for an integrated service in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.

Under the scheme new Jobcentre Plus offices will open in 18 locations in the county and on the island - one of which will be in either Bordon or Alton.

This has sparked anger in both towns as Alton already has a job centre and proposals to relocate LiphookÕs job centre to Bordon were approved by the Secretary of State for Employment last year.

If the proposals get the go-ahead then either AltonÕs job centre will close or LiphookÕs will close with no replacement opening in Bordon.

In his letter to Jobcentre Plus district manager Barry Symonds, Mr Arbuthnot says that the Bordon area Òis an area of considerable deprivation relative to the rest of the areaÓ.

He points out that he supported the original plans to relocate LiphookÕs office which he believed to be Òhighly sensibleÓ and asks that serious consideration is given to setting up shop in Bordon.

East Hampshire District Council was also expected this week to support the calls.

The full council, which met on Wednesday, was expected to support a motion to urge Jobcentre Plus to rethink its proposals and instead open an office in Bordon and an office in Alton.

This would support the comments made by EHDCÕs north east area community committee which discussed the plans last week.

Whitehill Town Council, which has only submitted preliminary comments to Jobcentre Plus, will discuss the proposals at a full council meeting on Monday.