Loach joins factory closure protest

Hundreds of workers marched through Keynsham, near Bristol, in a bid to stop the chocolate giant closing its Somerdale plant in the town.

Up to 500 jobs are set to be axed under proposals to move production to Poland.

Cadbury also plans to restructure its Bournville plant in Birmingham, leading to a further 200 job losses.

Loach, 71, who directed Kes and Cathy Come Home, referred to his factory worker father as he spoke to employees near the Keynsham plant.

Unite spokesman Andy Nichols paid tribute to hundreds of campaigners who gathered in the rain to support the protest.

He said: "There were several hundred gathered before we even started.

"We are delighted with the turnout and tremendously grateful to Ken Loach for supporting our cause.

"Support to keep this plant open is getting stronger and stronger. We feel confident we can avert strike action.

"We are still in talks with the company and as the pressure gets stronger our message slowly gets through."