KERRY Ingredients closed its doors for the last time last Friday afternoon as the factory saw its final day of operation.

Staff at the factory have been preparing for the closure over the past few months, with production finally ceasing at 2pm.

The company decided last year that it would consolidate the business to its site in Tenbury Wells, citing the Okehampton site as restrictive, with little room for further business growth or investment.

In June 2011 Kerry Ingredients started a three-month consultation period with staff, offering them the opportunity to transfer to the Worchestershire plant.

Around 12 staff accepted that offer, leaving another 90 employees searching for new work.

Town councillor Kay Bickley is on the steering group for the town's Business Improvement District scheme.

She said: 'Kerrys have been good to give their employees good advance notice of the closure, and that is appreciated, because it gives people who don't want to relocate time to look for other work.

'It also gives time to have structures in place to direct people to Job Centre Plus, to the CAB, and to other facilities that will help them.

'We've seen since the closure of the Robert Wiseman Dairy that their old building is now being used by National Bee Supplies.

'The vacant Kerrys building will give another business a chance to expand, and I am aware of at least one business that has already looked at the site.

'Like everywhere else, we are still in a recession situation, but with the emerging BID, the town is not lying down, and we want businesses to work together to improve our lot. I'm hopeful we can come up with a business plan that gives Okehampton an edge.'

To help those looking for work or facing redundancy, Devon County Council has recently released an information pack full of advice and useful contact information.

The new pack, 'Seeking Work: Information for Residents of Okehampton and Surrounding Areas', is part of a Government funded project and gives information on the Okehampton Works initiative and the help available.

This includes what to do if you find yourself being made redundant, seeking work, or searching out careers information, advice or guidance and training available.

There is also advice for those considering self-employment, and help with money matters such as sources of financial support. This information is available online at http://www.devon.gov.uk/okehampton-works">www.devon.gov.uk/okehampton-works