The Evening Chronicle in Newcastle has launched a campaign calling on the Government to act urgently to safeguard thousands of jobs on the Tyne.

The newspaper has put out a rallying call to local MPs to put pressure on to bring forward millions of pounds worth of orders from the Ministry of Defence.

Editor Paul Robertson said: "We decided it was time to act when 300 members of staff at local shipyard Swan Hunter in Wallsend were given their notice.

"Hundreds more are expected to be left jobless in the coming months and we are urging readers to sign a petition to get these orders moving and secure shipbuilding skills on Tyneside."

The yard and its sub contractors along the river are struggling to keep afloat with a two-year gap in the order books as they wait to start on a Government order to build two aircraft carriers in 2008.

The ship builder is currently making two Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels for the MoD but they are expected to be completed early next year.

Even though the Government wants 600,000 tonnes of vessels built in the next 15 to 20 years, it has so far refused to bring work forward to safeguard jobs and skills in the region.

Earlier this year, two yards on the Tyne were forced to close after orders dried up. The river's workforce is down to a few thousand compared to just a few years ago when Swan Hunter alone employed more than 7,000 staff.

Chronicle industrial reporter, Gayle Tomlinson, travelled to Parliament with 30 shipyard workers and the GMB union to put the case over to regional MPs.

The campaign was given resounding support by all of the region's members. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told the delegation he was doing what he could to convince his Cabinet colleagues to bring work forward.

Owner of Swan Hunter, Jaap Kroese, welcomed the Chronicle's support.

He said: "The Chronicle's campaign is brilliant because not only is it for the people that are working here but also for the local community and businesses surrounding the river. It will hopefully secure the future of the workforce."

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