MP Michelle Donelan is calling on Wiltshire employers to offer jobs to the 300 Cooper Tire workers who are being made redundant.

The American-owned tyre company has confirmed it is going ahead with plans to axe 300 jobs in Melksham.

It is expected that production of light vehicle tyres will be phased out over a period of 10 months.

Local councillors and union officials were bitterly disappointed with the decision, saying it was a “cruel blow” to Melksham and the local economy.

The town’s MP Ms Donelan said: “I have been working hard locally to support those whose jobs are at risk by meeting with senior management at Cooper Tyres and with job creators locally to increase job opportunities for those affected.

“My first priority now is to make sure that, as the redundancy process moves forward, all those affected receive fair and equal treatment by Cooper Tires.

“It has been confirmed that proper notice will be provided and employees whose roles are being made redundant will be paid 150 per cent of statutory entitlement as well as other separation pay.

“The next priority has to be to find alternative work for those affected as soon as possible. A taskforce involving Wiltshire Council and the Department of Work and Pensions has been working for the past few months and numerous local companies have already been in touch stating that they are doing a recruitment drive.

“I call on all employers locally that think they may be able to utilise the skills of those that are being made redundant to come forward so that local people can once again get the job security that they need.”

Unite union leaders have blamed the 300 job losses on “cheap Chinese tyre imports” but the MP said the company wants to cut production costs in Melksham.

She added: “It is vital that we avoid any further job losses around the area and indeed across Wiltshire.

“That is why I have held talks with ministers to discuss what the government can do to help make the UK more competitive when facing the challenges of cheaper labour abroad.

“I want To make sure that Wiltshire remains competitive while also maintaining our commitment to strengthening the National Living Wage, so I will continue to see what the government can do to attract even more investment into jobs, in the UK – especially in Wiltshire.”

“My heart goes out to all those affected by this but I know that this is not enough on its own. I have been and will be taking tangible action to see that we make the very best of what is a very difficult situation and get those affected back in work as soon as possible.”