BOSSES at a major food factory are being urged to avoid job losses after a huge blaze destroyed the building.

Fire tore through the Vale of Mowbray factory at Leeming Bar, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, at the weekend, immediately prompting speculation that some of the 190-strong workforce may have to be laid off.

A staff meeting was held this week, where it is understood that senior management responded to the concerns by outlining plans to switch production to the firm's other plants.

Demolition teams were on the site yesterday following Saturday's blaze, which had to be brought under control by more than 120 firefighters.

And prominent members of the local community are hoping that the scale of the damage will not eventually lead to job losses at the firm, which was embroiled in a dispute over union recognition just a week ago.

Councillor Susan Latter, who represents Leeming Bar on Hambleton District Council, said: "There may be a temporary loss of jobs.

"It was the old factory which caught fire and it will mean demolishing and rebuilding, which I think the company will do.

"I am hoping that it won't mean a loss of jobs, but it is the manufacturing building which was affected and that is the most difficult one to get up and running again."

The blaze came just a week after a row broke out over union recognition at the sausage and pork pie maker, which was saved by a management buy-out seven years ago. The Iron and Steel Trades Confederation, which now has growing numbers of members in the food processing industry, was campaigning for recognition but an offer of talks was declined by the company.

Managing director of the firm, John Gatenby, was not available for comment after yesterday's meeting.