Unilever Ice Cream & Frozen Food has announced a major review of its supply chain for Birds Eye in the UK.

A spokesman said both sourcing and manufacturing arrangements were being scrutinised.

The future of three of its four UK factories is also being reviewed in a drive towards achieving greater efficiency and profitability.

The affected plants include Lowestoft, which produces red meat poultry, frozen vegetables and potato products. Hull, which produces fish and peas, and Grimsby, which produces frozen meals, are also affected.

A spokesmen said the review, prompted by parent Unilever, was expected to be completed “well into the New Year”. He said: “We must be fleetfooted and agile in the future.

“No conclusions have been made yet.”

Some 3,000 employees are likely to be affected by the review. Birds Eye Wall’s Gloucester ice cream plant is not part of the review.