LIVE: Over 500 people at risk of losing job after huge food supplier closes site - latest updates

Almost 550 people are at risk of their losing their job after a major food supplier in Tameside has announced its planned closure.

Pilgrims UK, one of the Britain's largest pork providers, is proposing to shut its Ashton-under-Lyne base in Dukinfield, as it cited current unfavourable market conditions in the country.

The planned proposals means that all 542 staff based at the site, at all levels, are being put at risk of redundancy, with the company now entering a period of consultation.

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An additional 90 roles will be split between the company's other sites in south Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire and Merseyside.

Local politicians said they were "shocked" by the news, and told the M.E.N the plans would be 'absolutely devastating for the local Dukinfield and wider Ashton community.

Rachel Baldwin, Vice President of Human Resources, Pilgrim’s UK, said: "The decision to propose the closure of our Ashton site has not been taken lightly and we have made every effort to explore alternative options.

"A key part of our work to return to growth includes ensuring we fully optimise our operational footprint and the age and location of Ashton within a densely populated area means that there is no feasible opportunity to modernise or grow the site.

"As a result, these proposals are unfortunately essential to ensure a sustainable future for our team members across the UK."

We will be bringing you all the latest updates on this breaking news story.

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Rachel Baldwin, Vice President of Human Resources, Pilgrim’s UK, said:

The decision to propose the closure of our Ashton site has not been taken