WORKERS from closure threatened CDS/The Range at Mitcheldean met with the Mayor of Cinderford, Max Coborn, and Gloucestershire County Council candidates to support calls for more jobs in the town.

They are angry that the proposed Asda store – which could bring more than 200 jobs - is being held up while the planning permission it was given is challenged in the courts.

The rival Co-op store will go to judicial review later this year in an effort to get the current permission overturned.

Members of the Asda for Cinderford Group joined the protest at the Cinderford Town Council offices in Belle Vue Road.

A spokesman for The Range workers said: "Cinderford desperately needs the jobs that Asda will bring.

"The elected representatives for the workforce of CDS/The Range would like to thank the county council candidates and Mayor Max Coborn along with the Asda for Cinderford group for their attendance at a meeting at Cinderford council offices to attempt to bring jobs to the Forest Of Dean."

He said they were disappointed that Forest MP Mark Harper could not attend the meeting because of a prior engagement.

Consultation has started on closing The Range warehouse at Mitchel­dean, with the potential loss of 275 jobs, with the work being transferred to another depot in Doncaster.