Jobs saved at troubled Northumberland frozen food plant

Northumberland Foods went into administration in August

A Northumberland frozen food factory which went into administration with the loss of 250 jobs earlier this year, has been bought by a rival firm.

Northumberland Foods Limited in Amble, near Morpeth, was forced to cease production in August after suffering cash flow problems.

Now Newcastle-based Longbenton Foods has bought the Amble site and has already restarted production.

Seventy former staff have been taken on with more jobs promised.

Vidar Engen, managing director of Longbenton Foods, said: "Longbenton Foods is pleased to confirm the purchase and that 70 former Northumberland Foods' employees have already been re-appointed.

"There are plans to create further employment opportunities as the business grows.

"We have worked closely with our partners One North East and Northumberland County Council in order to return this site to production and bring jobs back to Amble."

Mr Engen said agreements have been made with local producers and the firm hoped all production lines would be up and running in time for Christmas.

Longbenton Foods employs more than 100 people at the former Findus frozen food plant in Newcastle.

Northumberland Foods limited made frozen vegetable products for clients including Tesco, Sainsbury's and Iceland.