SOUTHAMPTON'S Rotary members appealed to bosses of Hampshire ladder maker AS Fire and Rescue to abandon plans to move the company to Cam-bridge.

In an uncharacteristic public move, club president Bob Jackson said the proposal "seems to fly in the face of all the Rotary principles of business".

He warned the relocation, which would see up to 65 jobs transferred, would cause "misery" for staff, suppliers and the wider community.

The opposition comes hard on the heels of union attacks on the firm, branding month long negotiations on the relocation proposal a "farce".

AS managing director Bob Dewin said the firm had been "open and transparent" and tackled all staff 's concerns.

Recognised around the globe as the leading maker of fire brigade ladders, AS was bought by support services specialist AssetCo last year.

Rotary is made up of business and professional people who donate time and money to charity. Mr Jackson said they had decided to go public with its opposition to the relocation plans after the subject produced strong feelings in a club debate on business ethics.

Difficulties' In a letter to Asset Co chief executive John Shannon, Mr Jackson said: "Some employees have given loyal service for over 30 years and continue to do so despite the difficulties, not of their own making they now find themselves in.

"All of our Rotarians realise that in business there are times when difficult decisions must be made to ensure the continued prosperity, profitability and protection of the company and the majority of the work force.

"From what I have learnt through individuals at AS Fire and the local press, we see no obvious reasons why one would want to move a very successful business away from the area that will no doubt cause misery for those who have given years of loyal service, suppliers, many of whom may find it difficult to continue trading, the community who rely on the local trade and above all the customer.

"We are businessmen like yourselves, and unless there are overwhelming commercial benefits in moving this company I urge you to seriously reconsider."

AS managing director Bob Dewin said: "It's a very complex set of circumstances and it's getting blown out of all proportion. The group has gone through a big number of acquisitions and we've got premises all over the country.

"The building we have in Southampton is an old mill house and the premises in Cambridge is a relatively new building.

"We have tabled a suggestion to keep a new training centre and repair centre in Southampton. The headcount would be around ten.

"There has been no attempt at any stage during the negotiations to hurry the process. Every question that staff has asked has been answered. Obviously some of the answers may not be to their liking but we have been up front and transparent."