HUNDREDS of workers at York's second-biggest sweet factory are anxiously waiting to hear whether their jobs are safe after a £58 million takeover deal was agreed.

Monkhill Confectionery, in Low Poppleton Lane, York, will be sold to the Blackpool-based firm, Tangerine Confectionery, next month. But uncertainty continues for the factory's 350 employees, after bosses at Tangerine refused to confirm whether all their jobs would be retained.

Union bosses said they would be calling an urgent meeting with the firm to raise their concerns and push for some answers.

GMB organizer for the York area, John Kirk, said: "I have got to ensure that the needs of our members are protected and I will be seeking assurances at a meeting with Tangerine next week."

The announcement comes nearly two years after Monkhill's present owners, Cadbury Schweppes, announced they would be putting the company up for auction.

A spokesperson for Cadbury Schweppes would not disclose the number of bidders, but confirmed that the entire Monkhill business, including sites at York, Cleckheaton, Pontefract and Chesterfield, would be sold for £58 million in cash.

Monkhill, whose revenue was expected to top £76 million last year, manufactures two million sweets every year, including household brands such as Sharps of York, Barratt Sherbet Fountains, Jameson's chocolate confectionery, Trebor Basset mints and, at its Pontefract factory, Butterkist popcorn.

Tangerine chairman Steven Joseph said he was delighted to win the bidding war and was looking forward to completing the deal in February.

He said: "To acquire brands and products of such heritage is a mouth-watering prospect. There is no doubt that this major acquisition will significantly enhance Tangerine, creating a business with a turnover of £150 million and 1,500 employees.

"We very much welcome the skills, innovation and commitment that the staff and employees of Monkhill will undoubtedly bring to the enlarged company and we look forward to working with everyone connected with the business."

But a spokesperson for Tangerine remained tight-lipped about whether the 350 employees at the York site would all retain their jobs.

He said: "Until we have taken ownership, it would not be appropriate for us to comment. All I can say is that we have no intentions to close any of the sites.

"We will continue to produce the same brands - that is one of the reasons why we were interested in acquiring the company."

The future is also uncertain for Monkhill's existing managing director, Martin Drane, who made a failed buy-out bid for the company with a group of fellow directors. Mr Drane was unavailable for comment.