TWO major Trowbridge firms announced they are to axe staff this week with the loss of about 60 jobs.

Nestle, at Staverton and The Consortium told workers about the redundancies at the beginning of the week.

Staff at The Consortium were told on Monday the firm is scrapping the night shift, which employed 22 people.

Of those, 15 will be moved to other shifts but seven jobs will be redundant.

One worker, who did not want to be named, said: "They said it's all to do with profitability. I feel like I've been kicked in the teeth after working for them for years.

"The night shift suited a lot of people's lifestyles, especially those with children who need their days free.

"It was a productive eight-hour shift and we were all experienced and dedicated. Our last day is on Friday but we will be paid for 30 days."

The firm has begun consultations with the staff involved and has said it should be possible to employ 15 of the workers on its day shifts. It hopes the redundancies will be voluntary.

In the last year the firm has reorganised its warehouse operation and replaced manual workers with an automated system.

Nearly 50 people left jobs with the company in February.

On Tuesday, staff at the Nestle factory, at Staverton, were told up to 50 jobs could be lost following a reorganisation resulting in the closure of the distribution operation.

The firm bought the Ski and Munch Bunch yoghurt business in April and has increased chilled manufacturing at its Staverton and Cuddington plants, which each have their own distribution operation.

A spokesman for the company said: "Having carefully considered all the options we are now in a position to announce our proposal to close the distribution operation at Staverton.

"Unfortunately the proposal will result in the loss of a number of jobs. We will be offering support to enable employees to work with the aim of securing alternative employment or opportunities in the area and we will try to offer alternative employment within Nestle where possible."

The closure is expected to take place in the next six months. The company hopes some of the redundancies will be voluntary.

Management at the site were in talks with concerned workers after the announcement.

Job shops will also be set up to help those affected find work.

Cllr Jeff Osborn, economic portfolio holder at West Wiltshire District Council, said: "This is something to be regretted. Fortunately we have low unemployment levels here but it is a tragedy for those from both companies because people have probably worked there for quite a length of time."

He said the council, West Wiltshire Economic Partnership and JobCentre would work closely to help workers find new jobs if they could not be transferred within the company.