Protest to keep 950 biscuit jobs

Biscuit factory workers and residents have been protesting to keep about 950 jobs in a Staffordshire town.

The demonstration to save Fox's Biscuits in Uttoxeter followed a petition launched by workers.

Northern Foods wants to merge its plants in Uttoxeter and Batley, West Yorkshire, and build a new factory on one of the sites by 2011.

It said staff at the plant which shuts would be offered jobs at the new base. A decision is expected in early 2009.

The Uttoxeter site employs about 950 people, while 1,280 staff work at Batley.

Northern Foods has said both factories were old and in need of investment.

The company has begun a period of consultation with regional development agencies, local councils and unions to decide which plant to shut.

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