Action group for factory workers

Unilever has invested £500,000 to help staff

A group has been set up to help staff at a Grimsby factory that faces closure in February.

The group will focus on finding jobs for 600 staff at Birds Eye.

Unilever announced in October the plant in Ladysmith Road was to close because it was deemed too small to be competitive.

Workers are being interviewed about future careers and what training they need. A special job centre has also been set up on site.

The closure is a big blow for both the workforce and North East Lincolnshire as a whole Andrew De Freitas, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council

Roger Norrington, factory manager, said: "Unilever is committed to doing everything it can for its workforce during this difficult period and has already put forward over £500,000 in training and support to help our staff find alternative employment."

Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Andrew De Freitas, said the authority is concerned about the welfare of the 600 employees.

"The closure is a big blow for both the workforce and North East Lincolnshire as a whole," he said.

"We are losing a major company and good jobs which are difficult to replace."

The support group, organised by the council, Unilever and other agencies, plans to continue its work in 2005 by developing initiatives to boost the local economy and create new jobs.