UNION bosses representing the 160 workers affected by the closure of Pocklington's Sundora Foods factory have vowed to do everything possible to find them another job.

Managers at the fruit and nut specialists, in Burnby Lane, recently announced that production would be transferred to Northamptonshire following a buy-out by rival firm Whitworths.

It is believed the bulk of the workforce will be made redundant.

Adrian Gascoyne, local organiser for the Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), which represents the majority of Sundora's staff, said staff representatives would meet Whitworths managers tomorrow.

The talks are expected to finalise redundancy packages and a timescale for the shutting down of the Pocklington factory.

"It's all still a bit up in the air at the moment," Mr Gascoyne said.

"We're trying to negotiate an enhanced package for our people.

"We're also hoping to set up a job shop at the factory. We've had a good response from other local employers offering positions."

Mr Gascoyne said Whitworths' chief executive had promised to provide a list of vacancies available within the company to Pocklington staff. But he admitted that most of the 160 workers would find it extremely difficult to relocate to the firm's Northamptonshire factory because of strong family commitments within the town.

Mr Gascoyne said the closure was due to investors "cashing in" on their investment.

Alan Menzies, East Riding of Yorkshire Council's assistant chief executive for economic development, said: "We have had discussions with the human resources manager at Sundora and Jobcentre Plus in York, and we are going to support the employees of the company in terms of finding other employment.

"We have a number of schemes to help people learn about becoming self-employed, and improving their vocational skills as well as the OWEN project for the older workers.

"We are all working together to help, where we can, the workers who are going to lose their employment."

A spokesman for Whitworths said no firm decisions had yet been made on job losses and when the factory was shutting down. "Talks are ongoing," he said.

The Mayor of Pocklington, Coun Jo Green, said: "We're all very disappointed.

"There are a lot of jobs involved so it will have a big impact on the town.

"The company has been a good employer and supportive of things going on in the community.

"Sundora is one of the biggest businesses in the area, so I suspect some of the workforce will have to travel to find another job."

Updated: 10:29 Tuesday, August 16, 2005