MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has voiced fears that the closure of the Droitwich Spa army medal office could threaten other civil service jobs.

He raised his question to ministers about the other employees at its Government buildings location recently.

The offices are currently owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), but occupied by the medal office, Ordnance Survey and Customs and Excise.

Ordnance Survey already has plans to vacate the buildings, but, according to Mr Luff, the same is not true of Customs and Excise.

Economic Secretary, John Healey, said: "I understand the MoD is to close its office in Droitwich. HM Customs and Excise has an arrangement with the MoD to occupy the building until March 2006.

"Customs is now considering the implications for its 115 staff based at Droitwich and are exploring alternative accommodation options."

Mr Luff said: "I am deeply concerned by this answer. I accept the rental costs of the existing office are modest and it will be difficult to find alternative accommodation in Droitwich at the same rate.

"This means the closure of the Army Medal Office will not only lead to many of these staff losing their jobs and to massive delay in the issuing of medals but possibly also to the creation of real problems for the staff of Customs and Excise."