TWO YEARS AGO Pembrokeshire was poised on the edge of an economic revival - or so it appeared at that time.

Six hundred hi-tech jobs had been created at the countys first call centre, a further 300 were on the way and the future looked rosy.

Manpower, in partnership with the European e-commerce company, 7C, took on the tenancy of the ultra-modern Pembroke Dock call centre and they succeeded in luring a digital television broadcaster as its sole occupant.

The picture being painted this week is a very different one. Administrators have been called in to save ITV Digital from collapse and the 900 workers employed at the call centre dont know if they will have a job at the end of the month.

It all went wrong when ITV Digital agreed to pay £315 million to the Football League for exclusive rights to screen matches. Analysts say it overpaid in a moment of madness when it over-estimated its audience and under-estimated its competition.

It can no longer honour its contract and administrators have been appointed so that it can continue trading.

Politicians and councillors are hopeful that a rescue package can be agreed.

Pembrokeshire County Council leader Councillor Maurice Hughes admits the authority is very concerned, but stressed it was important to remain optimistic.

It is important to remember that there is a highly trained workforce operating at the centre, he says. This is something which did not exist just over two years ago and would be of considerable benefit to any potential new clients.

It is also worth noting that ITV Digital is a client of Manpower, one of the worlds largest employment companies, which has considerable resources at its disposal.

Preseli MP Jackie Lawrence has been kept informed of developments at the company by its managing director, Stuart Prebble. He has assured her that there is no immediate threat to jobs at the Pembroke Dock call centre.

The administrators will be seeking a way forward so that they will be able to continue to provide the substantial number of jobs that have been created there in past months, says Jackie Lawrence.

It is important that people are aware that business will continue as usual so that there is no erosion of ITV Digitals customer base. Customers will be able to receive their programmes as usual and hopefully time will see a satisfactory outcome to this companys fortunes in what is still a growing and expanding industry.

But that time is short and there are worrying times for everyone who earns their living at Pembrokeshires largest single private employer.