THE country's biggest union has called for bosses to rethink the closure of the Faccenda factory in Sutton Benger near Chippenham.

The chicken processing plant is due to close later this year resulting in the loss of 450 jobs.

Unite has presented the Faccenda Group with an alternative plan which sets out a stable but flexible future for the group.

The union said it believes the company's current proposal is the latest step in a pattern of successive closures and its alternative plan provides the most sustainable long term future for the greatest possible number of workers, not just those at Sutton Benger.

This would include cutting out the costly transportation of both live chickens and meat and would mean the closure of one of the company's factories but would provide a better long term future.

Unite regional industrial officer, Hugh Kirkbride, said: "We believe this closure is totally unnecessary and does not make economic sense.

"Not to mention the impact it will have on the 450 staff who work there.

"This factory is the backbone of this local rural economy.

We are urging the company to take a serious look at alternative proposals, which will cut down on transportation costs and improve animal welfare."