Devastated employees at Virgin Media were today told the Trowbridge branch will close, leaving 450 people with uncertain futures.

Staff attended a meeting this afternoon where it was announced that the branch on the White Horse Industrial Estate will close with departments being moved to other Virgin Media centres across the country including Manchester.

The news comes as part of a merger between Virgin Media and Virgin Mobile and will see departments closed from later this year up until December 2012.

A Virgin Media spokesperson said: “Today we have announced our plans for the final stages of the integration of Virgin Mobile into Virgin Media, ensuring we give our customers a consistent experience whether enjoying our mobile, broadband, TV or home phone services.

"As a result of these changes we will be exiting our Trowbridge office in a series of planned phases over the next 18 months, with a proposed site closure in December 2012.

"There are around 450 people affected by this announcement, all of whom will be offered the option to relocate or redeploy to roles within the UK.

"We know this may be a difficult message for our staff so we are committed to communicating as early and openly as possible with all affected employees.

"With a long lead-time for changes, we will be working closely with all teams throughout the upcoming consultation period to help our staff best manage any decisions about their futures.”

Staff will enter a consultation period later this month in which they will be offered potential transfers or given advice on their options.