NEARLY 1,100 jobs at the Office of National Statistics centre in Hampshire could be saved - because closing it may be too expensive.

A report commissioned by Chancellor Gordon Brown revealed last month that the ONS proposed shutting its Titchfield offices and shifting to the West Country or Wales.

But the costs of relocating would not be recouped for 60 years, the Daily Echo understands.

The ONS believes the financial case for moving would be "so poor" it would be virtually impossible to win government support, said a source.

"They don't think it will be a sensible use of government money."

Meanwhile, Fareham MP Mark Hoban has added weight to Titchfield's argument by revealing the ONS would save almost £250 per worker per year by staying in Titchfield.

He uncovered the figures in a Parliamentary written answer. It showed the annual cost of operating a work station at Titchfield was £2,260 compared to £2,494 in Newport, South Wales - £234 less. This works out at £250,000 a year.

And it means the Chancellor could hit his target of cutting £2.3m from the civil service bill within ten years.

The Tory front-bencher added: "I think it would be better for ONS to agree with the government now that no move will take place and that the jobs in Titchfield are safe.

"The financial case is very weak - it is just about whether the political case is strong."

A decision is expected to be made by the Treasury in July.

But the ONS has already insisted that Titchfield would not close before 2006/07.

Mr Hoban has written to ONS chief executive Len Cook regarding the statistics that were uncovered in Parliamentary written answers.

He wrote: "The evident lack of savings following what would be a very expensive relocation leads me to question whether the proposal to move staff from Titchfield is financially viable.

"Consequently, would it be possible for you to seek Treasury approval before the conclusion of the 2004 Comprehensive Spending Review to announce that this aspect of the Lyons Report will not be implemented?

"This would, I believe, end a damaging period of uncertainty and boost the morale of your Titchfield staff."