THE staggering £70 million deal struck between pop star Robbie Williams and music giant EMI has been hard to comprehend for former mayor David Cox.

He was one of 192 EMI employees in the town who lost their jobs when Swindon's EMI CD pressing plant closed in March.

Meanwhile, Williams' multi-million contract is the most lucrative ever for a British artist and has been seen as a big financial gamble to shore up losses amid falling CD sales and rampant music piracy.

Coun Cox, 55, a former engineer, who was Swindon's mayor last year, said the amounts were hard to comprehend.

"I suppose that they are doing what they can to stabilise their business," he said.

"I think the shares have slumped in value recently, and they lost a lot of money when they signed up Maria Carey.

"In some ways the fact that they have paid Robbie Williams £70 million is hard to comprehend. It is hard to imagine that kind of money and it does seem a bit odd when there are so many people who have lost their jobs with the firm and are still looking.

"I am a qualified engineer and although my council work keeps me busy, I am still looking for a job.

"The problem is that I am 55 so perhaps firms are looking for younger people."

EMI's payout to the pop star will entitle it to a share of his profits on tours, books and merchandise.

The company is banking that its new signing will retain his popular appeal longer than other flash-in-the pan contenders.

EMI is still smarting from having to pay off fallen diva Mariah Carey for £38m after her album Glitter was bought by only two million fans.

The firm closed the Swindon plant to move its CD production to its larger European factory in the Netherlands.