THE Argus petition calling on the government to perform a U-turn and stop the closure of the Newport passport office was delivered to 10, Downing Street yesterday.

We launched our petition on October 12 - just five weeks later after an amazing response, we handed in 24,000 signatures.

That figure shows the depth of feeling you have about the Identity and Passport Service plans which would see the loss of Wales' passport office which currently employs 300 people.

Yesterday, Newport West MP Paul Flynn and his Newport East counterpart Jessica Morden met Argus reporter David Deans to hand over the petition urging Home Secretary Teresa May to abandon the proposals.

Since the start of the campaign last month we have received support from politicians, celebrities, sports stars, traders, passport office staff and their families, as well as thousands of Argus readers.

High profile figures who have signed the petition include the likes of Max Boyce, Goldie Lookin' Chain, Tony Benn and rugby legend Graham Price.

Our campaign has won cross-party support in Wales - including Newport's Conservative council leader Matthew Evans and Liberal Democrat deputy council leader Ed Townsend, Labour's First Minister Carwyn Jones, and Plaid Cymru AM Jocelyn Davies.

And more than 1,000 people have taken to the streets of Newport to march against the closure plans.

The Argus also wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron calling on him to intervene and stop the closure.

Speaking as he helped hand over the petition yesterday, Mr Flynn said: "It's a tremendous show of disapproval by the public of Newport of what is an unfair and savage cut in jobs. It proves that the city and Wales is united and is supported by all political parties.

"There's not a person on the council or in the Assembly that has any sympathy for this decision."

Argus readers have given a fantastic response to the campaign to save the passport office, Ms Morden said.

"It really shows the strength of feeling, and let’s hope they listen. Certainly we will keep putting the minister on the spot so they know how strongly people feel."

She added that the campaign needs to go right to the top of the corridors of power, saying: "We need to make David Cameron stand up and take notice."

Newport council leader Cllr Evans told a meeting of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee at the House of Commons last week that research on the economic impact of the closure, carried out by an independent body, found 500 jobs could be threatened at a time when Newport was already struggling. These claims were supported by Ken Ellis the chief executive of Newport’s Chamber of Trade who said it would have significant effects on the city centre.

You can still add your voice to campaign

YOU still have the chance to register your disapproval with the plan as our petition remains open. Any outstanding forms can be sent to South Wales Argus Cardiff Road, Maesglas, Newport, NP20 3QN, and we will get them on to Downing Street.

You can also sign our petition online at southwalesargus.co.uk/passportoffice