TEST Valley Borough Council confirmed this week that it is actively exploring training opportunities and grant options that may help local people affected by the job losses at Ducal.

Mr Brian Nicholas, head of estates and economic development, said: "We recognise the impact this news will have on the town.

"We don't yet have the full details, but we will keep in touch with the company to ensure that we can help to provide appropriate support for affected employees.

"We can certainly help to identify training opportunities and we can offer small business incentive grants to people who want to set up their own business in the borough.

"We will be contacting a range of organisations during the coming weeks to see what else can be done."

Andover MP Sir George Young said he was extremely concerned about the proposed closure.

"Ducal is a major local employer and if the business closed it would touch many families in and around Andover," he said.

"I hope that the pace of closure will be reasonable and the terms as generous as they can be.

"Although the local economy is buoyant, finding several hundred jobs for those displaced will be difficult.

"I know the JobCentre will do all they can to find new jobs for those affected by the closure.

"Without knowing the specific reasons for the closure, this underlines the need for the UK economy to remain competitive.

"Higher National Insurance rates don't help, nor does the tide of regulation sweeping over UK industry."