EVESHAM Foods has welcomed a lifeline for their staff from another big Vale employer, Kanes Foods.

Employees were shocked by news that the Evesham Foods is set for closure next year but the company say consultation with employees is on-going.

Dr John Randall, Managing Director of the fruit and vegetable processing company Kanes said his firm had been in discussion with the personnel department at the condemned plant.

He said: "There are some good people at Evesham Foods and we would be keen to speak to them."

He made it clear however that his interest only extended to the staff. He had no interest in the premises on the Four Pools Estate he said.

Dr Randall, with factories in Middle Littleton and Vale Park, added that he could not comment on how many additional jobs may be available at Kanes Foods which employs 1,000 people but he did say that those his company would be interested in speaking to included engineers.

Spokesman for Evesham Foods, Brian Jones confirmed that the two firms were in negotiation. He said: "The approach from Kanes Foods is welcome.

"We are still going through a consultation period with the work force. They are an excellent team and are working normally."

Evesham Foods, which employs about 400 people making pies and sausage rolls for supermarkets, announced plans to close following poor financial performance and a strategic review undertaken by its parent company Northern Foods.

Twenty five people were made redundant in July but at the time it was said that no further job losses were planned. All that changed at the end of September when the workforce heard the news which union bosses said: "came out of the blue.