STAFF at Newport's Passport Office went to work with heavy hearts yesterday morning expecting to hear the worst about their future.

So there was at least some relief when immigration minister Damian Green announced that 150 jobs would be retained in Newport, well in excess of the number originally proposed last October.

We are delighted to have played a part in convincing the Identity and Passport Service to water down those drastic proposals.

And we are thrilled that the excellently fought campaign to save the passport office directly influenced the decision makers.

But this is not a day for celebration.

The loss of 150 city centre jobs is a bitter blow for the city of Newport which can ill afford so many job losses.

Although the blow has been lessened, so many job losses will have a major impact on the local economy.

Further, the job losses are a tragedy for all the individuals affected.

When we joined the campaign last October to fight what we felt was an illogical and unjust proposal to close Newport Passport Office, we knew there would be an uphill struggle.

We gained hope along the way from the sheer strength of the campaign.

Driven by the city's two MPs, the fight had unstinting support from AMs, the Public and Commercial Services Union, Newport city councillors and business leaders.

And we were overwhelmed when 26,000 readers and supporters signed our petition against the plan.

IPS chief executive Sarah Rapson says the strength of the campaign persuaded a rethink which in the end will save 100 jobs. This is a credit to all those involved.

But our thoughts today are with the staff, who will now have to compete for a much smaller pool of jobs, and of course with the many who will inevitably lose out.

What is vital now is that everything possible is done to help find alternative employment for those affected.

It will not be easy but it has to be done. The very least the staff deserve is to be offered the best advice, support and training available.