AN MP says she is urging bosses at a chicken factory in Witham to try and find a way to keep the site open.

The 2 Sisters Food Group has announced it will be closing its site on the Freebournes Industrial Estate, putting up to 600 jobs at risk.

The food producer says the closure of the factory, which has been there for around 60 years, is part of a review of its 'loss-making sites'

However, Witham MP Priti Patel, says she wants bosses to try and find a way to keep it open.

She said: "This is devastating news for those affected as 2 Sisters are an important local employer.

"I have been in contact with senior management to urge them to examine ways to keep the site open and if this is not possible to help workers affected into finding new employment.

"I will remain in contact with them throughout this process and to support constituents and I have asked to meet with the company too.

"This will be a worrying time for many workers and looking after their wellbeing is a priority.

"Should the site close then we will need to see action taken to find new uses for the site to support our industrial estate and local employment."

READ MORE: '600 jobs' at risk as bosses announce "grim" plans to close Witham factory

Bosses say they are looking into moving workers to other sites but say redundancies are a possibility.

The company's two nearest sites to the one in Witham are in Thetford, in Norfolk, and Bungay, in Suffolk.

2 Sisters Food Group chief executive Ronald Kers said: "We are all acutely aware that some of our plans, such as reducing our UK poultry footprint, brings uncertainty for colleagues, and it is with great regret that we have to make such proposals.

"But the alternative of doing nothing and hoping for an upturn is not an option."