The factory had been in the town for 28 years

The last shift left the British American Tobacco-owned Rothmans plant in Darlington on Wednesday.

The company announced the closure last year after opting to consolidate its UK operations in Southampton.

Darlington Borough Council says it will use the cash to try and replace lost manufacturing jobs.

'Sad day'

Darlington's Labour MP Alan Milburn said he was saddened by the closure, which he admitted was a further blow to manufacturing in County Durham.

He said: "Obviously it is a big blow for the town. Rothmans have been a very valued employer for many years in Darlington.

"They have provided much-needed employment there and have been very succesful, largely because of the committed workforce.

"It's a very sad day when these jobs go."

The company, which exported about 70% of its production at Darlington, had been based in the town for 28 years.

Former fitter Lol Sturman said: "It was a happy place and a family place to start with.

"But like so many places things got harder and you had to achieve more to make the product cheaper.

"Things did get hard, but was an excellent place to work."