Burton's biscuit factory staff hold rally over closure

Burton's Foods in Moreton employs 342 production workers

Hundreds of workers at a biscuit factory on the Wirral are holding a rally against plans to close the site.

Burton's Food, which owns and bakes brands such as Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels, said in January it was closing the site with the loss of 342 jobs.

The union Unite said the Moreton factory was one of the last major employers in the area and has launched a campaign to stop it closing.

It urged local people to join the rally on Saturday and support the workers.

Speaking ahead of the protest, Unite General Secretary Len McLuskey said: "This is the moment for Burton's workers, supporters and the whole community to send a clear message to Burton's Foods that we are not prepared to sit back and let decisions be made that will destroy our community.

"We will use every weapon available so that we can save these jobs.

"It's time Burton's listened to the voice of their workforce and the community."

He was due to attend the rally and march, along with former general secretary Tony Woodley and Labour MP for Wallasey Angela Eagle.

Burton's has said that the closure is a necessary part of its strategy to improve its supply chain and that the proposed job losses are "deeply regrettable".

As well as closing the Moreton factory, it intends to invest £7m at its manufacturing sites in Edinburgh and Llantarnam, south Wales.