CAMPAIGNERS are "over the moon" after they were told that dozens of jobs have been saved in a County Durham market town.

Union leaders said the U-turn over the future of Vinovium House, in Bishop Auckland, had "come out of the blue", but justified their campaign to fight for the jobs.

Civil servants working for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had been left with an uncertain future after the government revealed plans to close the building, in Saddler Street, in January.

The proposals for Vinovium House – which was completed in 1971 and has had a long association with civil servants working in the town – were part of the DWP's plans to downsize its estate to save £140million.

But following a campaign by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), the government has now declared the building will remain open – removing the threat of compulsory redundancy from staff.

The union campaigned with Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman locally and in Parliament to oppose the closure.

Ms Goodman said: “I couldn’t be more pleased. I am absolutely delighted for all those who work at Vinovium House.

“I really hope all the stress they have suffered will lift from them. And I’m pleased too for families across the country who need their help.

“This goes to show it is worth campaigning and fighting for your rights and the PCS trade union was right to defend these workers.”

County Durham PCS branch chairman, Gordon Mabon, said: “We were told in January that the site was closing which was why we campaigned and it’s been worth every bit; it’s fantastic.

“I popped into the office for an hour when it was announced and everyone is absolutely over the moon and thankful for the support they have had – the atmosphere was absolutely electric.”

He added: “I just know that if we did not campaign we would not be where we are now with 83 jobs saved which is phenomenal.”

Mr Mabon also praised Ms Goodman and Bishop Auckland Town Councillor, Joy Allen, for their support.

The government proposals included plans to close 78 jobcentres nationally, two back-of house sites and to re-locate a further 80 with local authorities.

Just six of the 78 jobcentres will remain open, and only 11 of the 80 planned to co-locate with local authorities have been given a reprieve.

PCS spokesman, Steve Swainston said: “Whilst we are pleased the government has seen sense with regard to Bishop Auckland, and that jobcentres in Byker and South Shields will stay open, the union remains completely opposed to closures elsewhere in the region, which will result in claimants having to travel further to access the services they need."

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka added: “It is utterly disgraceful that DWP is pressing ahead with other closures.

"This Tory government is abandoning unemployed, sick and disabled people, making it harder for them to access the service they need, and putting jobcentre jobs at risk. We will continue to oppose these plans in every way we can.”

In a statement, the Minister of State for Employment, Damian Hinds, confirmed the majority of proposals would go ahead when the current PFI contact with Telereal Trillium expires on March 31, 2018.

He said the plans “will mean that DWP will be able to offer a more efficient service, while delivering good value for the taxpayer”.

He said: “The plans reflect the fact that eight out of ten claims for Jobseeker’s Allowance and 99 per cent of applications for Universal Credit Full Service claims are now made online.

“This means that DWP buildings are used much less with 20 per cent of the estate currently underutilised.”