FIVE hundred workers at the pension Centre in Simonstone have been told that most of their jobs are safe.

In a shake-up of the Government's Department of Work and Pensions they will be transferred to looking after the benefit systems appeals procedure.

There had been fears that they could all lose their jobs if the complex on the Time Technology Park in the village was closed.

The news that the jobs were safe has been welcomed by Tory MP Nigel Evans, in whose Ribble Valley constituency the office is now based, and Burnley Labour MP Peter Pike who used to have responsibility for Simonstone.

In February 2002 the centre was one of the first offices to represent a new, modern and personal approach for pensioners.

In particular it was to deal with the Pension Credit, allowing older people with modest savings not to lose state benefits.

Yesterday Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith confirmed that the Simonstone centre would take over work from the appeals service.

This should ensure that most staff keep their jobs unless they opt for voluntary redundancy. Some other pension centres are likely to be closed as part of the shake-up.

Mr Pike, who used to work at Mullards in Simonstone, and Mr Evans were delighted at the news.

Mr Pike said: "I am very pleased at this result. We have saved the majority of the jobs and that affects other jobs in the area.

"Although the majority of the site and the buildings are now in Mr Evans's constituency, it used to be in mine and some of the land still is.

"It's a very important decision which will help the local economy as well as saving these people's jobs.

"We have campaigned very hard on this issue."

Mr Evans said: "This is good news for the people and the families affected and the other businesses and jobs that rely on them.

"Peter Pike and I have campaigned very hard on this issue at Westminster and I am pleased to say that for once ministers have listened to us."

However Martin Jones, of the Public and Commercial Services union, the largest civil service trade union with 280,000 members, added a note of caution.

He said: "Although this is good news about the jobs in Burnley the pensions service will be affected and the people who use it will notice a reduction in the quality of service."