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DVA battle taken to Downing Street

CAMPAIGNERS trying to save jobs at the Driver and Vehicle Agency in Coleraine, Co Derry, took their battle to Downing Street yesterday.

Staff, union and business representatives and politicians handed in a petition of around 40,000 signatures to highlight their call to secure 300 jobs at risk.

The British government wants to centralise services for motorists in Swansea, Wales. There has been uncertainty over the Coleraine jobs for nearly two years after the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency revealed in December 2011 that it was considering closing 39 centres.

A delegation from Northern Ireland travelled to Westminster yesterday to meet Department of Transport officials to discuss the impact closure would have.

The campaign has the backing of all the north's political parties, business leaders and the shadow secretary of state.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell said a decision would be made within five weeks.

Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey said closure would be "a major blow for the local economy".