CIVIL service jobs are heading for York following the closure of offices employing 350 staff in Northallerton.

Workers at the Rural Payments Agency, based at Alverton Court, have been told their jobs are being relocated to York and Newcastle.

An agency spokesman said it was too early to say how many would be going to each city, but said the York jobs would be based at Kings Pool, Defra’s offices situated alongside the River Foss and Peasholme Green.

He said the agency, which administers £2 billion of Common Agricultural Policy cash paid annually to farmers, would do everything to ensure a “smooth transition”, and individual meetings would be held with all staff about the move. “All our people who are prepared to work flexibly have been guaranteed a job,” he said.

But a PCS union spokesperson said the closure would have a “massive impact,” claiming: “Quite a significant number of staff won’t be able to move.”

Some employees said they feared they would not be able to relocate.

One worker said it will be particularly hard for people with young children, saying: “This is a really bitter blow for us. Many people have been here for years and don’t want to move. For parents with young children it could add two hours travelling to the working day, and it may mean they can’t move out. Everyone feels really let down.”

The agency spokesman stressed that the change was not about job losses and that the agency would continue to deliver the same level of service to customers.

“This decision has not been made lightly and we are working hard to provide as much clarity and certainty to those impacted. All our people who are prepared to work flexibly have been guaranteed a job and all posts will remain in the region.”

Another 37 jobs with Natural England are also leaving Alverton Court next spring, but a spokeswoman said none of these would be transferring to York.