CALOR GAS is to close operations at its plant in Millbrook with the loss of 35 jobs.

The company says staff have been briefed on the implications and it is exploring options available, retaining a company to help them.

Consultations should be complete at the end of June.

The company said that its customers in the region would continue to be supplied with gas cylinders in exactly the same way through dealers and Calor centres.

Staff who will be hit by the plan include plant operators, supervisors and managers.

Calor spokesman Andrew Ford said; "We are doing everything possible to help the people affected by the proposal, and would like to assure all of our customers that the high quality of products and services will continue in the future. This proposal reflects the changing nature of the liquefied petroleum gas markets in the UK.

"While this environmentally-sensitive fuel is experiencing growth in some areas - most notably the increase in LPG-fuelled cars, vans and buses - there has been an overall shift in consumer demand from cylinder products to bulk storage installations. Calor has to remain competitive and responsive to ever-changing consumer requirements.''

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