Tom Jones Protests Factory Closure

Sir Tom Jones has became the latest big name to speak out against the closure of a factory in his native south Wales.

He’s hoping to get clothing company Burberry to change its plans to close its Treorchy plant, just a few miles from where Jones grew up in Pontypridd, with the loss of 300 jobs.

The company has just reported a significant increase in sales but plans to move the Treorchy production line to China at the end of March.

"As a local boy I know how important this factory has been to the community in the Rhondda. I therefore urge the Burberry management to withdraw their plans to close their Treorchy factory," Jones said.

He’s joining a rapidly growing number of celebrities who are trying to keep the Burberry plant open.

Hollywood stars Ioan Gruffudd, Emma Thompson and Rhys Ifans have already voiced their opinions and urged the clothing giant to reconsider.

Gruffudd’s intervention might be the most embarrassing. Along with actress Rachel Weisz, he was one of the brand’s global faces in 2005.

Opera singer Bryn Terfel, entertainer Max Boyce and the Prince of Wales have also given their backing to the campaign.

As well as calling for the factory to remain open, campaigners want to see Burberry lose its two Royal warrants from the Queen and the Prince of Wales.

Rhondda MP Chris Bryant told the House Of Commons that a Royal Warrant is the national seal of approval and it should only go to great British companies that stand by traditional British values.

"Any company that cannot say how much the workers making its goods overseas are paid – or cannot guarantee that children will not be used in their factories should lose that seal of approval," he added.