UP TO 80 jobs are facing the axe at a massive food factory near Selby.

The production and engineering posts at the Supercook factory in Sherburn-in-Elmet are under threat following a review of the firm's European operations. Bosses at the Bishopdyke Road plant want to move parts of its manufacturing base to Poland. Parent company Hero UK announced the job losses to its 200-strong workforce late last month and entered a four-week long consultation period over the cuts. The plan would see parts of the UK-based manufacturing operation shift to another group company, Hero Polska, which is based in the Polish town of Plock.

The final decision will go to the Hero Group's executive board in Switzerland when the consultation period finished today.

Selby MP John Grogan said the coming weeks would be difficult for workers.

Mr Grogan said: "I have spoken to Supercook who have told me that no final decision has yet been made.

"Obviously there is going to be a difficult period in the next few days and weeks for 80 workers at Supercook and their families while a decision is made. I have been assured that the Hero Group remain committed to the future of their Sherburn plant and indeed are looking at further investments in it.

"Sherburn is still one of the dynamic hotspots of North Yorkshire's economy and firms are going to move in and come out from time to time.

"But I still think there is a strong future for light industry in Sherburn. The company operates in 26 countries and makes cakes, baby food, cereals, jams and processes fruit.

A spokesman for Hero UK said: "This proposal is not a reflection on the performance of the Sherburn-based production and engineering personnel which has always been excellent.

"The Sherburn site will continue to manufacture a range of core products and will remain a key manufacturing location."

Meanwhile, 940 jobs at the DHL Exel Supply Chain distribution warehouse in Sherburn-in-Elmet are still on the line as the firm continues a 90-day consultation period. The possibility of mass redundancies was raised after supermarket giant Somerfield sold the centre and its 171 Kwik Save stores.

The decision meant business for the remaining Somerfield stores was moved from the Sherburn site.

Updated: 09:41 Tuesday, March 28, 2006