“NONSENSICAL” plans to close a benefits office saw protesters take to the streets this afternoon.

The Public and Commercial Services Union were fighting the closure of Phoenix House in Stephen Street , Barrow.

They were joined by Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock and a number of members of Barrow Borough Council.

Addressing the protesters, Mr Woodcock said: “I am absolutely behind this campaign to save the jobs in Phoenix House . The service you provide right across the county is great.

“You were able to put across the argument, straight away, not only about the importance of the jobs to you as individuals and the community, but getting across the value of what you do for some of the most vulnerable people that we are supposed to be here to protect in this country.

“The changes you have made have made it so that people, many of who would've died before getting answers, now get that all-important money and also the equally important recognition that they have been wronged.

“The idea that you can train up a new group of people from scratch and get them close to the level of service which you deliver to the nation is absurd.”

The centre was earmarked for closure in January , and the government's plan to relocate staff to other centres has faced heavy criticism.

Barrow borough councillor Brendan Sweeney said: “The government are pulling out a huge number of jobs in Cumbria . The point about this being, a specialist office dealing with a specialist topic is hugely important. You can't replace that expertise.

“Because of what they're doing, the people working there know the people affected. They aren't just pieces of paper to them, they know what this is about. People forget and don't realise the significance.

“It is just scandalous and immoral. It's the height of stupidity to say you can just move this work somewhere else to a generic call centre. It's ridiculous to think people are going to get anywhere near the same level of service.”

Cllr Sweeney was one of four local councillors who marched with the group, including Michael Cassells , Helen Wall and Hayley Preston .

Cllr Cassells said: “It's important to show that it's not just John that's behind this protest, the local council are too.

“I used to work in the Department for Work and Pensions, so I know the importance of small teams that get to know the community.”

The march began at the Spirit of Barrow statue in Dalton Road with a speech from Mr Woodcock, before moving along Portland Walk to the rear of the Town Hall.

Addressing the protesters, Fran Heathcote , DWP president, said: “An easy way to define public services is this - It's the difference between a civilised existence and living in poverty and squalor.

“These nonsensical closure plans appear to have been drawn up by sticking a pin in a map. There's been no thought for workers or community services.

“They are doing this in communities all over the UK. These are just proposals but, unless people stand up and do this, they will become a reality.”

The Public and Commercial Services Union Cumbria branch secretary Kris Houghton arranged the rally, and thanked people for coming together in protest.

He said: “It's an amazing number of people who've come out in support of the campaign. It's a fantastic show of support and solidarity from members who've come from all over the country today.”