Following reports in a local newspaper of job losses at the company's processing plant at Willand, a spokesman for 2 Sisters Food Group said: "Having already invested more than £4 million in the processing facility during the past 18 months and with further investment planned, 2 Sisters Food Group has announced that Willand will become its centre of excellence for specialist poultry in the West Country, providing core employees with improved job security.

"However, due to a number of factors including poor demand in seasonal BBQ products and an increased demand for whole birds which require less labour to process, there will be a reduction in the workforce at the Willand plant. This follows a significant increase in throughout, since 2 Sisters acquisition in 2008, and an increase in the workforce."

Richard Maunder, site director at 2 Sisters Willand, said: "We are fully committed to this region and Willand continues to play a key role within 2 Sisters Food Group.

"We regret that market changes in part due to the economic downturn and the wet summer could lead to around 95 redundancies. The decision to release the employees is not in any way a reflection on their skill or dedication, but has been undertaken to safeguard the remaining jobs and enable us to establish Willand as a centre of excellence."

2 Sisters Willand is currently in consultation with the trade union to discuss employees affected by the redundancies.