The news comes six months after the plant was taken over from the troubled Fisher Foods group, which went into receivership in the summer.

The plant, which processes and packs chilled food and salads, employs 555 people - but now 316 of them will be made redundant.

Del Monte UK operations director David Matwij said while it was in receivership, retailers' perception of the Methwold plant was damaged - and this is one of the reasons for a significant reduction in production at the factory.

However, Mr Matwij added that the business has a long term future.