UP to 600 jobs will be axed after bosses confirmed a chicken factory is to close down next month.

The 2 Sisters Food Group announced plans to ‘restructure’ its business in May, which included proposals to close down its plant in Witham.

Now, after a 45 consultation period, it has confirmed the factory on the Freebournes Industrial Estate will close its doors for good at the end of August.

However, bosses say 100 workers who are currently based at the Witham site will be employed at other factories.

The company’s two nearest sites to the one in Witham are in Thetford, in Norfolk, and Bungay, in Suffolk.

A spokesman for 2 Sisters said: “Following our colleague consultation process, it is with regret that we can confirm the closure of our poultry processing site in Witham.

“Unfortunately, we have been unable to identify a viable alternative to closure.

“We anticipate that final production will finish by the end of August.

“We have been able to redeploy around 100 colleagues to our other sites in the region, and more hard work will continue until the end of next month to help assist people with other local opportunities both within and outside our wider group.

“We would like to reiterate that the tough decision to cease operations at Witham is no reflection on the colleagues at site who have been dedicated, loyal and hardworking, and we would like thank all for their professionalism during a very unsettling time.”