The Burberry factory was set to close by the end of the year

Mr Hain said he understood why workers in Treorchy felt "cheated" by the move, which will cost around 300 jobs.

In a letter to Burberry's chief executive, Angela Ahrendts, he called on the firm to reconsider its decision.

Burberry, which plans to move Treorchy production abroad, has said the factory is not "commercially viable".

Mr Hain's support of the workers' campaign follows backing by Hollywood star Ioan Gruffudd.

How is it possible for such an iconic British brand to be manufactured anywhere other than Britain? Welsh Secretary Peter Hain

The actor, one of the faces of Burberry, has also written to the label's chief executive urging her to reconsider the proposal.

In his letter, Mr Hain said the closure would bring "immediate hardship" to the workforce and have a "devastating effect on the families of Burberry workers and, indeed, on the whole community of Treorchy".

He wrote: "I am aware that you recently announced plans to delay the closure from January to March - I hope that you will now seize this opportunity to reverse your decision.

"With Burberry having recorded profits of �84m I can understand why Burberry's workers feel cheated by the company's decision."

'More support'

Mr Hain continued that: "Burberry's international success is based firmly in its 150-year-old roots in Britain, and I am particularly proud that this international success story is based in Wales.

"How is it possible for such an iconic British brand to be manufactured anywhere other than Britain?"

The GMB union is campaigning to keep the factory open.

Paul Kenny, union general secretary, said he welcomed Mr Hain's support and repeated the union's call for the company to reverse the closure decision.

"Every day that passes, more and more support is gathering for the plant to remain open," he said.

Last month, more than 100 workers from the factory protested outside the label's top London stores.

Burberry said the consultation process at Treorchy was continuing, and added that the company did not intend to abandon the UK.

A spokesman said it continued to manufacture 'iconic' products such as the trench coat at two Yorkshire factories.

"Burberry employs almost 2,000 people in the UK - a number that has increased by over 500 in the last five years," the spokesman added.