WORKERS at a Rossendale meat firm were yesterday told that 38 jobs were being axed after bosses announced that productions were moving to Hull.

Cranswick Country Foods of Waterfoot held a meeting with staff following a review of their cooked meat production facility.

Local councillors today described the news a real blow for both Waterfoot and the rest of the Valley.

The move follows the expansion of a sister plant in Hull which has seen the manufacture of cooked meats consolidated on the site.

But the company has insisted it will be able to increase its workforce again later in the year.

In April 2004, the company acquired the Jack Scaife bacon business and relocated it to the site at Waterfoot.

Bernard Hoggarth, chief executive of Cranswick Country Foods, said: "The successful development of the business into major retail outlets now requires more space and investment to allow increased production to take place.

"It is envisaged that the major redevelopment of the site will be completed in May.

"In the short term this necessitates a reduction in staff numbers on site.

"Following a consultation exercise, a total of 38 redundancies from the cooked meat operation have been announced effective as of Friday.

"It is envisaged that following the investment and expansion, the workforce will increase again over summer as the bacon business continues its growth. "

Waterfoot councillor David Hancock said: "This has come as a real shock and is a real blow to both Waterfoot and the rest of the Valley.

"I know the company recently carried out some improvement works at the building so I didn't expect this to happen at all.

"I would hope that the employees are being given support in helping to find alternative employment."