Dairy Crest has announced plans to shut down its Isle of Wight dairy operations.

Thirty seven jobs are set to go from the processing plant in Newport, which produces flavoured milk.

The company has cited the high cost of transport to and from the island as one of the reasons behind the closure.

Hugh Kirkbride, of the Transport and General Workers Union, said: “The company has agreed a full consultation procedure which will involve looking at alternative product lines and other uses for the plant.” However, it has been agreed that the distribution operations on the island will remain open.