WORKERS at a Herefordshire Cadbury plant were told today that the firm plans to axe a number of jobs.

The chocolate giant’s owner Kraft, which took over the running of the Birmingham-based firm last year, said 200 roles would go across its sites at Marlbrook, near Leominster; Bournville and Chirk in North Wales.

No positions would be lost until at least March which falls in line with Kraft’s promise not to make changes during their first two years.

It is currently unclear how many positions could be lost at the Marlbrook plant.

The news comes as Kraft unveils £50 million of investment in chocolate and biscuit manufacturing across the UK including a new line at a confectionery plant in Sheffield.

Just over £2.5 million will be invested in Marlbrook for a new evaporator to boost energy efficiency on site.

A statement by Kraft said: “Kraft Foods expects approximately 200 roles in chocolate manufacturing to be affected by changes resulting from the investment programme.

“In 2012 and 2013, the company will work closely with employees and their representatives to minimise the impact through redeployment and a managed voluntary redundancy scheme.”