Workers at the plant are angry at the loss of jobs at the plant

"It's awful, it's like when the collieries shut," said resident Catherine Mcguire.

"It's just terrible, what are people going to do now?"

Workers affected are reeling from being given just a week's notice from the cosmetics manufacturer, which one said had come as "a real shock".

Outside the factory, several workers gathered for a mid-afternoon break. None wanted to be named in case it affected their chances with the company.

Many of them were taken on in April and had recently received letters telling them that their probation period had been successful and would be reviewed again at the end of December.

Some of the staff affected say they could get agency work

"We had a meeting on Wednesday and they told us we were being given a week's notice," said one woman.

"Nobody was expecting it, it came as a real shock."

Another woman said: "We've been told we are being laid off but that if we register with a recruitment agency, we can come back to work next week.

"We would be doing exactly the same work but for less pay. It's ridiculous.

"But what choice do we have? Christmas is coming, there are bills to be paid."

Fear is rife about the future of the remainder of the jobs at the plant.

"I've been here for 15 years and I'm really worried about what's going to happen now," said one woman.

Those two plants are such big employers and it is devastating Nicola Richards

The news came on the final day of full production at Cooper Standard Automotive, a car parts factory next door to Cosi, which used to employ 600 before it decided to move production abroad.

"My husband used to work at Coopers and was made redundant," said Nicola Richards.

"He's found a new job now but the fact is those two plants are such big employers and it is devastating.

"There's not a lot left here now," she added.

Kevin Phillips described the situation as "disgusting".

"People have got mortgages to pay and it is just really sad.