THE 44 employees at egg packers STC Ltd Cornwall, based at Tremar near Liskeard, have been told there will be no more work for them at the end of the month.

An employee spokesperson, who did not wish to be named, said nearly all the workers, including five from Poland, are full-time with only a few part-time.

The jobs loss has come as a big blow to the area, with up to 60 jobs being previously lost at Stonegate Eggs production on the same site, before the EU directive banning the use of battery cages for hens.

STC has been packing eggs at the former Horizon Eggs Plant owned by Stonegate for the last three years.

Steve Corbett of STC based at Wolverhampton was unavailable for comment.

The workers will receive their final pay packet on April 27.

MP Sheryll Murray has spoken of her concern for the employees who have lost their jobs.

She said: 'Forty-four jobs lost in a small area is not an insignificant figure and is a great deal of cause for concern.

'I would like to have spoken to the owners of STC and am disappointed they did not come to me for assistance before making the announcement of the closure. I am still trying to contact the owners to clarify the situation and to offer my help even at this late stage.

'I offer my sympathy to the staff losing their jobs and want them to know that myself and my officers in the Liskeard office are here to help and offer advice where we can.'

Yesterday a rapid response team from the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) was visiting the site to offer assistance to the workforce.

DWP spokesperson Brace Owen said: 'As soon as job losses are announced JobCentre Plus offers tailored support to employers through its rapid response service.'