VALE of York MP Anne McIntosh is leading the fight to keep a North Yorkshire turkey factory open.

Brandons Poultry plant, at Dalton, Thirsk, faces the threat of closure because of overcapacity in the turkey market.

Daltons is in a consultation process about the future of the facility, and a sister factory in Derby.

Miss McIntosh said: "The Dalton factory is a very impressive production facility and it has an excellent workforce. Thirsk is a natural location for the factory because North Yorkshire is one of the largest producers of turkeys in the country.

"The jobs that the factory provides are much-needed in an area badly hit by the crisis in agriculture. The factory makes a vital contribution to the local economy."

Cheap imports, particularly from Brazil, are being blamed for market saturation.

Miss McIntosh said: "Major supermarkets are importing frozen turkeys from Brazil at prices that undercut the basic production costs.

"I have written to the Secretary of State at the Department of Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, asking whether she can guarantee that these imported Brazilian goods are produced and sold to the same rigorous hygiene standards as those produced in Dalton."

The MP has also sought a meeting with management and staff.

She said: "I am confident that in view of the history and achievements of the Dalton factory that every effort will be made to secure a positive future for that facility, its management and workforce."