THE trial of a man accused of setting fire to the Valleys crisp factory where he worked was yesterday delayed for two months.

Colin Goulding, 30, of Bridge Street, Abertillery, was due to stand trial for arson with intent to endanger life on February 18, in connection with a fire, which destroyed the Real Crisps factory on September 20 at a cost of more than £6 million.

But a hearing at Newport Crown Court yesterday heard the fire investigator involved in the case is on a pre-booked holiday during that week.

Judge Philip Richards agreed to put the trial back to April 15 as it was agreed it could not proceed without the key witness. Goulding was remanded in custody.

Last month we reported how 80 of the 120 people who worked at the site were made redundant in October and a further ten, who were travelling to others sites left at the end of 2012.

The remainder continue to work at other sites.

The fire also has a knock-on effect to suppliers and distributors who have also had to lay off staff.

Tayto Group, which own the factory, said it may reopen in future, but the machinery needed takes months to make and the firm needs a specific type of building.