Up to 208 Sussex jobs could be axed if Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt blocks the merger of two mail order firms, it was claimed today.

Unions and MPs have started a campaign for March UK to be allowed to buy Gus Home Shopping, which includes Shop Direct.

Shop Direct employs 114 people at a depot in Lewes.

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

March UK has agreed a deal to buy GUS for £450m and the two businesses wanted to merge to put them in a better position to fight off increased competition from the internet and new catalogue rivals, such as Next.

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.

Now, shop workers' union USDAW, the T&G union and MPs have stepped into the row.

Today, they warned up to 19,000 jobs could be axed nationwide unless she clears the merger as GUS and March will struggle to survive if they are forced to take on their new rivals alone.

Sir Bill Connor, USDAW's General Secretary, said: "Home Shopping is facing major competition from across retail - from internet shopping and from high street retailers who are launching their won catalogues.

"These two major companies are seeking to merge to become as efficient as possible in order to continue to compete in a tough environment and to protect the thousands of jobs that are at stake."