Premier Foods has revealed it is to close its Hovis bakery in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

The move could lead to the loss of 82 jobs.

In a short statement, the group said: “As part of our efforts to improve the utilisation and cost-effectiveness of the Hovis supply chain, we have recently undertaken a review of our Eastleigh bakery in the context of our future manufacturing requirements. As a result, the company is proposing that its bakery at Eastleigh, will cease production no later than mid-June 2012.”

The decision has been criticised by Frank Loveday, the regional secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union.