WORKERS at the Newport passport office are facing a Christmas of uncertainty while the threat to shut the branch hangs over them.

Tomorrow, while many of us tuck into our turkey, 300 workers and their families will not know whether they will be made redundant next year.

This Christmas Eve the Argus is calling for immigration minister Damian Green to spare a thought for the office and call off the plan.

Our campaign has attracted support from across Wales, with 24,000 people signing a petition against the axe.

But we are continuing to fight - with the consultation on the plan due to end in the next few weeks.

A worker, who did not want to be named due to Identity and Passport Service rules on talking to the media, said her family will not have a Christmas at home this year because of the threatened closure.

The mum fears she will not be able to find a job that will allow her to look after her young daughter if the office closed.

“We will be spending Christmas with friends rather than at our house, like I’d prefer,” she said.

She says her situation is compounded by the fact that her husband also works in the public sector and is in a similar situation.

“I can’t afford it like other Christmases in the past, because of the threats hanging over us,” the mum added.

Ben Rapier, branch organiser for the Public and Commercial Services union, said the ongoing consultation is casting an “unwelcome shadow” over the period.

“When they get back to work in January they will be anxious and worried what the announcement will be,” he said.

“It certainly would be a great Christmas present if Damian Green took the decision to keep jobs in Newport.”