Ministers could save Launceston's tax office if they wanted to do so, according to senior officials from HMRC.

North Cornwall's MP, Dan Rogerson, met with staff from the 'Workforce Change' programme last week to make the case for the Launceston office.

The final decision on its future rests with Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms, who will be asked to sign off the closure personally.

Commenting, Mr Rogerson said: "Officials were clear that the criteria they are working to was handed down from Ministers.

"But individual closure decisions have not yet been taken and are not set in stone. There is a chance of reprieve.

"Ministers can intervene where there is a compelling case to save an office. I believe that case exists in Launceston, and I will be seeking to make it directly to Stephen Timms at the earliest opportunity.

"My meeting today also revealed that the Government has so bungled its leasing arrangements for buildings in Cornwall that they may find it impossible to locate DWP staff and HMRC staff in the same premises, even if that were cost efficient."