A skeleton staff will continue to operate at the Corwen factory, following Meridian's decision move its sauce making facility to Selby in north Yorkshire.

A Meridian worker at the Corwen plant

But a company spokesman said 70 workers had found jobs and was optimistic others would also find employment.

Corporate affairs manager Jonathan Grant Nicholas said: "We've been working hard with the help of different agencies.

"We are well on the way to placing a significant majority and a number of the remaining staff are awaiting second interviews."

Rhodri Morgan has failed to get to grips with the difficulties facing the north of Wales

Janet Ryder, North Wales AM

Management held consultations about the redundancies with workers at the plant, which was largely non-union.

Some staff members were offered work at the company's chilled pizza site on Deeside.

A company spokesman for the firm, which is owned by Hazlewood Foods, said it was more cost-effective to transfer production to Selby.

Buyer sought

At the time of the announcement last autumn, North Wales AM Janet Ryder said the decision was a "huge blow" to the Corwen area.

"Employees at Meridian had seen this coming, but once again First Minister Rhodri Morgan has failed to get to grips with the difficulties facing the north of Wales."

Meridian has been seeking a potential buyer for part of the Corwen site.

Established in north Wales in 1974, Meridian produces a range of health foods and organic products.

Approximately 1,000 jobs have now been lost in the area over a two-month period.

The Meridian job cuts add to others at companies from the Conwy Valley to Wrexham in the past few weeks.

Corning in Deeside announced 436 losses, followed by 189 at Alcoa, 124 at Trefn, 90 at Burlington Toiletries and 113 at Meridian.