Turkey firm set to lose 90 jobs

A turkey meat producer is to shed about 90 jobs at its Norfolk factory.

Bernard Matthews said fewer seasonal staff had left the firm between Christmas and Easter than in previous years and the cuts were needed.

Hourly-paid staff numbers had to be brought into line with forecast demand, chief executive Noel Bartram said.

Union representative Miles Hubbard said he hoped this would be the last of the redundancies and negotiations were under way about final numbers.

Uncertainty for staff

Last month the firm announced its sales had slumped by more than £64m and cutting the posts would help Bernard Matthews to stay competitive.

Mr Bartram said: "This review, combined with an ongoing drive towards increasing efficiency will help to maintain our competitive position in a challenging economic climate.

"It will also help safeguard the future of our 2,750 employees in East Anglia.

"We understand that the consultation process may cause uncertainly for staff and we will ensure that they are kept up to date."

The company has another major production plant near Halesworth in Suffolk as well as turkey breeding and fattening farms throughout East Anglia.