Work and pensions minister Andrew Smith has contacted Littlewoods expressing concern at the company's decision to close its Oxford branch at short notice.

The Oxford East MP has also approached the Secretary of State at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to find out what measures can be taken to help the 26 employees at the Clarendon Centre store who are set to lose their jobs.

Employees, some of whom have worked at the store for more than 25 years, were devastated to learn last week that the company was pulling out of the city centre with just four days' warning.

The restaurant closed down within hours of the announcement on Tuesday and the store closed down completely on Saturday.

The majority of the staff are members of the shop workers union USDAW, which is negotiating redundancy or relocation packages with Littlewoods.

Mr Smith, who is currently on holiday abroad, has asked his constituency office to intervene on his behalf by writing a letter to the chief executive of Littlewoods and to Patricia Hewitt, the Trade and Industry Secretary.

He is also urging present and former employees of Littlewoods to contact his constituency office with any concerns.