A NORTH-EAST council launched a petition last night in a bid to prevent the potential loss of hundreds of jobs at a defence factory.

The petition drawn up by Gateshead Borough Council and available to sign at the borough's libraries and civic centre, asks British Aerospace (BAe) to retain the Royal Ordnance Factory at Birtley, which is under threat of closure with a possible 300 jobs being lost.

The move comes after bosses from BAe, which owns the factory, agreed a three-week reprieve before making a decision on the fate of the site.

And it follows a letter from council leader, Councillor George Gill, to Lord Bach, Minister for Defence Procurement at the Ministry of Defence urging the Government to step in to help retain the jobs.

The council's cabinet member for jobs and employment, Councillor John McElroy, that thousands of residents will support the campaign by signing the petition.

The petition can also be downloaded from Gateshead council's website, at www.gateshead.gov.uk