THOUSANDS of people have signed petitions to safeguard 950 jobs at Fox's Biscuits in Uttoxeter.

Around 1,500 people have put their name against proposals that could see the Cheadle Road plant shut in favour of building a new factory in Yorkshire.

Conservative parliamentary candidate Andrew Griffiths has also gathered a further 1,000 signatures on-line and at a street stall held earlier this month.

Meanwhile, a group on social-networking website Facebook currently has 424 members.

A rival site supporting Batley's bid for the new factory has attracted 569 people – despite the plant having double the workforce and the town having a population of more than 40,000.

Long-term Fox's worker Lorna Andrews, convener for the Unite union, said: "The petitions we sent out are all being sent back to us at the moment and we have been overwhelmed by the show of support.

"Businesses as far away as Stoke-on-Trent have been happy to collect signatures on our behalf. I think the key thing to grasp is that the impact of any potential closure will be felt within a 20 mile radius of Uttoxeter.

"We have five or six generations of one family who have worked at this plant. The workforce has always been very loyal and I think Northern Foods owes it to us to stay here."

Mr Griffiths, who is bidding to become the town's next MP, said there had been interest across the country.

He said: "The save Fox's website is receiving hits from as far afield as London, Liverpool and Barrow-in-Furness.

"It seems there is a whole ex-pat community of former Uxonians who want to show their support for their old town.

"When we took the petition into the streets there were people standing three or four deep waiting to sign up.

"It is hugely encouraging that people are getting behind the campaign to keep the factory here in Uttoxeter.

"It has brought home that Fox's, and Elkes's before it, is a Uttoxeter firm employing many families, and an important part of our community."

Town councillor Katie-Jo Thomas, who has been regularly posting comments on Facebook, added: "It was very upsetting talking to people who could be affected by any possible closure. I talked with one lady whose mother had worked there since school and is five years off retirement. It's families such as these who will feel the impact the most.

"These petitions demonstrate that people care enough to show Northern Foods that Uttoxeter has a skilled workforce and that Uttoxeter believes in them."

The campaign will continue until either Uttoxeter or Batley is chosen in March.