Sixty British Bakeries workers who thought their jobs were saved last month have been told that their Plymouth factory will stop manufacturing at the end of July.

British Bakeries axed 79 jobs in April after a business review, but said it would keep its breadmaking plant open on an interim basis while its viability was assessed. However, last Friday, staff discovered that all 139 manufacturing jobs will go. Two of the three units had already closed. Workers were shocked at the news, said Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union district secretary John James.

A spokesman for British Bakeries said: "As a result of increased excess capacity nationally, the business has decided to now cease all manufacturing operations at the site." It will now convert to a depot facility, with 100 jobs at the site.