ALMOST 60 workers are to lose their jobs at a Swindon packing factory when it closes next Easter.

Finlay Beverages Ltd, on the Groundwell Industrial Estate, is the third business in less than a month to shut up shop in the town and relocate.

The firm, which packs tea and coffee for customers including Sainsbury's, says it can no longer compete in Swindon and needs to move operations to its headquarters in West Yorkshire for commercial reasons.

Last month the Swindon branch of Stralfors, which copies software, announced up to 40 jobs would go by next March when it closes its Dorcan factory and moves to Cornwall.

And last week cake company R&K Wise, which has premises in Headlands Grove and on Groundwell Industrial Estate, said it would be closing its two factories next autumn and transferring business to the north, resulting in 540 job losses.

Finlay Beverages Ltd has occupied its present site since 1973.

Managing director Mike

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Pearse said the company had no choice but to close the factory and put the site up for sale.

"It is an awful thing to do but we have to think of the company as a whole. It was a decision that wasn't taken lightly," he said.

"This move is very much for commercial reasons. In a competitive market we have to look at our costs and the way we operate and there are obvious benefits to us to consolidate our operations in West Yorkshire where we will actually be creating new jobs."

The news was broken to staff on Wednesday morning.

The company has pledged to help them find new jobs by offering assistance with CVs and interview techniques.

But many workers have been left feeling shocked and betrayed by the announcement.

"We always thought we would have a job for life here. Nobody could believe it when we were told the news," said one anonymous 37-year-old female worker, who has been with the firm for 14 years.

" We feel betrayed because we have done everything we can to try to keep the factory running. We knew production had been low for a while but we never thought the factory would close. I am worried about having to find another job because of other jobs going in Swindon."