About 400 redundancies have been announced in recent weeks

The food giant announced on Monday that the jobs will go over an 18-month period at the plant, which makes Easter eggs and Quality Street.

The move will turn Halifax into a "high performing" site, the company said.

The Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) plans to oppose the cuts, which nearly halve the workforce.

National officer Brian Revell said the announcement raised concerns over Nestl�'s future intentions.

Halifax is responsible for some of the world's best loved confectionery brands Paul Graddon, factory manager

"It seems clear that Nestl� are working to a clear strategy of cutbacks and job losses in the UK.

He added that Nestl� had now announced more than 400 job losses in the UK in the past few weeks.

Factory manager Paul Graddon said the job losses did not reflect on the employees at the site.

"The proposed changes are about transforming Halifax into a high-performing factory, making it a better place to work for everyone and building its long-term future.

"Halifax is responsible for some of the world's best loved confectionery brands."

The factory, which was opened in 1964, produces more than a million of tins of Quality Street and 25 million Easter eggs every year.

It currently employs 607 people on the shop floor and 88 in other roles.

Nestl� said it would be creating up to 200 seasonal posts at the site.