A major employer has confirmed that it had ceased trading in a Kent town with the loss of 43 jobs.

Last week, it was revealed rumours were rife that dozens of jobs had been lost at Fruit First, one of the biggest fruit packing centres in the UK, based on the Western Link Road, Faversham.

Now Mark Gaskain, company secretary, has confirmed the firm ceased trading on Friday, March 14. He stated that 43 people had lost their jobs and many are still owed money.

However, he stressed that Fruit First Select and Fruit First Storage were still in business with 63 employees.

He also said the firm was hoping to get the apple packing outfit back in business and even re-employ some of the staff who lost their jobs.

"I have the sincere expectation that the apple packhouse will be up and running again in the medium term and should that happen, I hope many people who lost their jobs will be re-employed," he said.

For the full story see this week's Faversham News.