Political, business and union leaders have criticised Lloyds TSB for its lack of loyalty to the city, after the bank announced it was closing its Peterborough processing centre at Thorpe Wood.

As revealed in The Evening Telegraph yesterday, more than 240 jobs will be lost when the centre closes at the end of the year. But with the Save Our City Jobs campaign we hope to put pressure on Lloyds TSB to reconsider.

The Lloyds TSB Group Union claimed the decision to close the site was linked to plans to relocate more back office roles to India, where the bank has around 2,500 workers.

The union's assistant general secretary Steve Tatlow branded the process as "offshoring by proxy".

A Lloyds TSB spokesman confirmed that the bank had set a "target'' to relocate a further 400 back office jobs to India this year, but denied the Peterborough closure was related.

Paul Baker, head of operations for Lloyds TSB, said: "We have said that our Group Operations division may offshore some roles this year, but this is not related to the closure of the Peterborough centre; as I mentioned these jobs will remain in the UK."

Editor Rebecca Stephens said the ET couldn't let the closure pass without doing something.

She said: "At a time when Peterborough is going all out to grow and develop and attract new jobs to the city, it is a huge blow when big organisations such as Lloyds TSB make a decision like this.

"It is something that our newspaper will fight for the good of the city."

City MP Stewart Jackson is also backing the campaign.

He said: "It's obvious from this decision that Lloyds TSB has little loyalty to Peterborough, while 400 additional jobs are to be created offshore. It's a real slap in the face."

Employee Crissy Wright (18), from Walton, Peterborough, said she had been "shocked" by Lloyds TSB's announcement, which was made at about 9.30am yesterday.

She said: "Many of my colleagues were very upset and not sure about what they're going to do in the future. It was unexpected. I don't have much hope that we'll be redeployed to work anywhere else.

"The nearest place with jobs is London, and it's not an option for most people."

City council leader John Peach is also backing the campaign.

He said: "The news is very disturbing. We want to reinvigorate the city's economy. This is a real blow."

Chairman of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Ian Crighton said: "We're exceptionally disappointed by Lloyds TSB's plans for Peterborough."

Last March, Lloyds TSB also closed five back office operations, affecting 566 UK jobs. The company moved operations to three larger centres in Birmingham, Andover and Gillingham, and relocated 105 jobs to India.

Later this month, the bank is expected to report increased pre-tax profits of £4.08 billion for 2006.

To lend your voice to the Save Our City's Jobs campaign, text us on 84070. Texts cost 25p plus normal network charges. Alternatively, call Rachel Devlin on 01733 588736.

A petition form will be printed in tomorrow's ET.

What do you think? Email your comments to eteditor@peterboroughtoday.co.uk.

Readers' comments so far:

The way some banks treat their loyal employees is deplorable. OK, it's not just the banks, we can include insurance companies in this style of modern management.
But is this the price to pay for free banking in this country?
David Boon.

This shows lack of loyalty to the UK, let alone to Peterborough. These companies are happy to take advantage of the client money available to them in the UK but refuse to invest here. Why should clients show any loyalty to TSB?
No doubt employees are cheaper in India, so why don't the management of TSB offshore themselves?
John Towers

Being an employee at ltsb at peterborough call centre, with the anouncement of the call centre being closed it's a big shock to all staff. I think they should reconsider, as the processing centre at Peterborough is one of the best they have in the UK and work going to
India will show a big impact to customer service.
Regards Claire