Union leaders have put a "strong case" for the merger of two mail order firms which employ 208 workers in Sussex.

The Argus revealed last week the jobs will be under threat if the deal is blocked.

Sir Bill Connor, general secretary of shopworkers' union Usdaw, yesterday told the Competition Commission it was vital to allow March UK to buy Gus Home Shopping, which includes the Shop Direct empire, for £450 million.

Shop Direct employs 114 people at a depot in Lewes.

March UK, which owns Littlewood's catalogues, employs 94 at a depot in Gatwick. Unions warn the jobs at both sites are under threat.

An Usdaw spokesman said today: "Sir Bill told the Competition Commission that in order for the companies to compete in this market, he believed a merger is the best deal.

"He emphasised in the strongest possible terms how competitive the home shopping market is because there are so many rivals."

Sir Bill was due to tell the commission, which meets in private: "This is simply a case of two companies wanting to become more efficient able to hold their own in an ever-changing market.

"Thousands of jobs are at risk if this merger is blocked."

The Competition Commission should report to Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt by December 23.

March UK and GUS Home Shopping believe a merger to put them in a better position to fight off increased competition from the internet and new catalogue rivals, such as Next.

The firms have also been hit by banks and building societies being more willing to offer credit to consumers.

They warned up to 19,000 jobs could be axed nationwide unless Ms Hewitt clears the merger.

But Ms Hewitt ordered a full competition commission inquiry into the deal, which is now on hold.

She warned of a "substantial lessening of competition" in mail order shopping if the merger went ahead.