A FOOD manufacturer that produces Richmond sausages and “Fridge Raiders” snacks is to close a Midlands factory and sack 900 workers.

Kerry Foods, a multinational conglomerate employing 25,000 workers, is shutting its factory at Burton-on-Trent after losing a contract with supermarket Tesco.

The factory is the town’s biggest single employer and Unite called the closure a “calamity” for the town.

Unite regional officer Rick Coyle said: “It is heartbreaking for the workforce, their families and, more widely, a crushing blow for the regional economy.

“The problem going forward is that there are not that many well-paid jobs in Burton and the vicinity to replace those that will be lost at the end of August.

“We will leave no stone unturned to help our members in the days and weeks ahead.

“This is a very sad day for Burton and the end of an era.”

The union said its staff will meet management on Friday to discuss an enhanced redundancy package for its members.

A spokesperson for Kerry Foods said: “Yesterday Kerry Foods announced that we propose to cease operations at our production facility in Burton, from the start of September notwithstanding continuing efforts to find alternative solutions for the site. 

“The company would like to extend a sincere thank you to all our Burton colleagues for their hard work and commitment and our priority now is to support all employees affected during this time.”