THE last cigarette made at the Rothmans factory in Darlington will roll off the production line in the next week.

The end of production comes nearly 28 years after the factory opened in the town, which created 1,000 jobs and had a significant impact on the local economy.

The closure was announced in June last year. More than 300 of the 497 employees have already left the plant, including 100 who have been transferred elsewhere within the company, mostly on temporary contracts in Southampton.

Of the remainder, 95 have found jobs, 14 are self-employed, 36 have retired, eight are retraining, 15 are unable to seek alternative employment and 31 are looking for jobs.

A further 151 employees are due to leave the company in the next two months, leaving 30 to manage the site rundown and closure, scheduled for the end of the year.

The announcement of the closure and job losses created concern about the impact it would have on the town and wider area.

British American Tobacco (BAT), Rothmans' parent company, is leaving a £1m legacy in a bid to soften the blow of the factory closure. The cash, which is to be provided over three years, will be used in a variety of areas.

Half a million pounds is designated to support business development and job creation initiatives in the Darlington area, while further funding will be used to create a virtual business village to help provide an Internet presence for small businesses.

The remaining money will be used to support business start-up and development loans, skills training and community development initiatives.

Tom Roberts, of BAT, said: "We believe the money will trigger valuable initiatives and complement funding from other sources.

"We are encouraged that some of the donations may also attract finance from elsewhere, including the European Social Fund."