A SWINDON MP is backing a bid by redundant workers to gain employment with Richard Branson.

Julia Drown, MP for South Swindon, has written to the owner of Virgin Mobile Phones to ask him to help employees from Cellular Operations who will lose their jobs later this year.

This follows last month's shock announcement by Vodafone that it will close Cellular in December with the loss of nearly 500 jobs.

Said Ms Drown: "I know that many staff at Cellular Operations have written to Richard Branson to see if he can help them find employment at the Virgin Mobile Base in Trowbridge.

"I am pleased to add my support to this action. I have pointed out to Richard Branson that the Cellular Operations has an excellent record of work and won the prestigious Service Provider of the Year Award two years running, so that he would be well advised to take up their suggestion."

Last week, the Advertiser revealed how more than 100 staff at the Hillmead-based firm had sent identical letters to the tycoon in the hope that he would offer them jobs.

Virgin Mobile already has a customer service centre in Trowbridge.

A former employee at Cellular said of last week's letter writing campaign: "Richard Branson was the ideal choice after his attempt to buy Concrode. He has become a St Jude figure, the patron saint of lost causes."

Virgin Mobile has said it will be delighted to receive employment applications from anyone at Cellular. "We will do everything we can to employ those people where appropriate," said a spokesman.