NEARLY 70 workers have lost their jobs following the closure of a Flintshire food manufacturing plant.

Country Style Foods' Flint factory closed its doors yesterday, leaving 68 people jobless in the run-up to Christmas.

Managers of Country Style, a Leeds-based modern craft bakery company, have closed two of their 12 UK sites, one in Flint and another in Greater Manchester.

In total, 74 jobs have been lost in North East Wales, but half a dozen people left the company early to take up new posts.

One employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, fears for her family's immediate future in the aftermath of the redundancy.

She said: ''It's very sad. I have worked here for six years but some people have been here for over 30 years and no one seems to care that we are losing our jobs.

''I have children and grandchildren to provide for and Christmas is coming, yet I have no stable income.

“There are a few couples who work here too with children. It will be even harder for them as they are both losing their jobs.''

David Hanson, MP for Delyn, said: ''I'm absolutely gutted for the staff who have worked so hard but now face unemployment.

''I'm extremely disappointed at its closure.

“I have attempted to get in touch with their head office on a number of occasions to secure the jobs of those working in Flint, but have been unsuccessful.

“I know the council has tried equally as hard as I have in attempting to save their jobs.”

The employees are being represented by the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers' Union.