NOBLE Foods' egg packing centre at Holsworthy Beacon is to close resulting in a loss of around 80 jobs.

Andrew Joret from Hertfordshire-based Noble Foods confirmed the closure, which has been blamed on declining local egg sales and the existing surplus packing capacity across the group.

Although unable to give a definite date, Mr Joret believed the closure would take place this month.

In a press statement, Noble said they "expressed their regret over the situation" and that the "proposals were in no way a reflection on the commitment and quality of its staff at Holsworthy."

Along with a colleague, Nicola Quill, Access Programme Manager at Torridge District Council, went out to Noble Foods, Holsworthy on Tuesday to provide employees with information on things like Council Tax benefits and rental benefits.

'SUPPORT

Leader of Torridge District Council, James Morrish said: "We are very concerned about the forthcoming redundancies by one of Holsworthy's largest employers. '

"How­ever, as a council our priority now is to support those individuals concerned and to ensure that they have every opportunity to access our support services.

"Torridge staff, along with other agencies, are on site today (Tuesday) to provide that help and information."