The Churton Road office would close with 45 jobs being moved to Colwyn Bay.

But Denbighshire County Council and MP Chris Ruane are to fight tooth and nail to keep the office open, and local businesses have been asked to make their protest.

The town has already lost civil service jobs with the closure of the Department of Work and Pensions office, and the county council’s lead member for regeneration, Cllr David Thomas said they would be objecting in the strongest possible terms to HM Revenues and Customs.

And he urged local businesses and those interested in protecting the future of the base to have their say.

He said: ”Civil service jobs play an important role in contributing to the economy of Rhyl, which continues to rank high in the index of multiple deprivation.”

Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane has already led a delegation of Churton Road staff who made their case to Jane Kennedy, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and he is meeting staff on Friday when they will send another strong message.

Mr Ruane said: We told Ms Kennedy that Rhyl has already lost jobs in the DWP closures, it was in the middle of regenerating itself, and any closure would be detrimental to the area and also the fact that other towns like Bangor, Wrexham and Colwyn Bay were or had gained hundreds of extra jobs in the DWP reorganisation and Welsh Assembly expansion.

HM Revenue and Customs wants to see the Churton Road office closed within three years.

A spokeswoman said: “We have far too much office space and need to close offices to provide better value for money. The town’s inquiry centre, which provides the public with an opportunity to discuss matter face-to-face, will remain.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) warned local services will be undermined.

North Wales branch secretary, Alwyn Mason, said: "We don't believe it is going to make anything more efficient. We're talking about 180 jobs going down to 80 along North Wales.

"There should be people in to do the work. It's great to have a go at civil servants – we're an easy target – but I think people will really notice what they are missing when we are gone."

nBusinesses wanting to protest should send their responses to: Paul Smyth, Workforce Change Programme: Community Feedback, HM Revenues and Customs, Room 95, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LB. The closing date is July 27.