Organisers of a public meeting in Pembrokeshire to discuss the latest cuts by a major employer have vowed to fight on try to to save the jobs despite a 'very low turnout'.

The meeting, in Fishguard over the weekend, was called to look at ways to replace the loss of 200 jobs at the Dewhirst ladieswear factory in the town.

Local MP Jackie Lawrence attended the meeting

The entire workforce had been invited to attend to meet local MP Jackie Lawrence and a representative from Pembrokeshire council, but only a handful of workers turned out.

However, organisers have vowed to carry on the fight.

Lawton Phillips, who runs a removal company in Fishguard, said: "The attendance was very disappointing but we've got to carry on because this town is dying.

"The main function of the meeting was to raise the hopes of the Dewhirst workforce in some way.

"But we are determined to carry on and we've given ourselves two years to bring 300 jobs to the area."

Mr Phillips, one of ten local businessmen who are working together to try to bring in jobs, is convinced that investment from Ireland is the most likely source of development.

Last facility

"This area is the gateway to Europe for companies in Ireland.

"We will be targeting them and sending out regular newsletters via e-mail.

"We only need a bit of their business to help us.

"The young people are leaving this area and there'll be nobody left to fight the battle and it will be a battle"

The Dewhirst factory in Fishguard is the company's last facility in Wales.

The announcement last month that it was to close followed the that of another closure which is due in nearby Cardigan in November.

Three hundred jobs are being lost in Cardigan while more than 400 jobs were lost at the Dewhirst plant at Fforestfach in Swansea which shut its doors last month.

Two other plants - at Ystalyfera, Swansea and at Lampeter - have also closed, bringing the total of jobs lost to around 1400.