The firm processes about 2.4 billion litres of milk a year

Arla Foods UK, which produces well-known products such as Anchor and Lurpak, announced the job losses on Thursday.

It said it is shutting its operations in Newcastle upon Tyne and Ruislip, west London.

The company was formed by the merger of Express Dairies and Arla UK last October and operates 13 dairies and 13 distribution centres across the UK.

It said the announcements were the final phase of its factory closure programme, part of an efficiency review throughout the group.

Our intention is to give full support to affected staff to help them find alternative employment Adrian Thompson, Arla director

Earlier this year 280 people lost their jobs when the company closed the Express Dairy depot at Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancashire.

Bosses confirmed 287 jobs will go at Ruislip, which is expected to close in January, followed by 147 jobs when the Newcastle site closes in May.

The Express Foodservice will continue to operate on the Ruislip site and deliveries to doorstep customers will not be affected.

The firm said it is currently in consultation with the employees and their representatives.

Adrian Thompson, an Arla director said: "We regret the need to announce the proposed closure of the Ruislip and Newcastle dairies.

"All those affected by this announcement are being advised today and the employees' trade union representatives are being consulted.

"Our intention is to give full support to affected staff to help them find alternative employment, subject to the consultation process."