SOUTHAMPTON Test MP John Denham says he is to press for an urgent meeting with defence ministers to discuss the Vosper Thornycroft redundancies.

Mr Denham said he would like to take representatives from the Woolston workforce with him when the discussions take place, as early as possible in the new year.

The move comes as the company fights to win contracts that may reduce the number of job losses at the yard.

"I will stress how important it is to Vospers that the company obtains work in the short-term and that the employees should be a part of the Type 45 destroyer project,'' said Mr Denham.

He said he would also underline the need for an early decision from the government on where new fisheries protection vessels are to be built. VT has the capability of building the vessels

Vosper has revealed there could be a glimmer of hope that could possibly cut back the level of job losses in the New Year.

VT has said up to 650 jobs will have to go over the next 12 months because of the way the government awarded a key contract to build the new generation of Britain's warships, the Type 45 destroyer, combined with the lack of immediate orders.

Around 150 employees from production areas at the Woolston base will have been made redundant by the end of next month, but VT stressed the company was doing everything it could to clinch desperately needed work.

A spokesman for VT said: "There are prospects of new work from customers both at home and abroad.

"Of course these prospects have to be changed into firm orders and that is the challenge now being undertaken.

"One particular tender is due in at the end of January and we would expect a decision on the contract during February.

"There is tough competition out there for this type of work but we are doing everything possible the orders.''

The remaining 500 job losses are expected to be spread over the coming year.