AROUND 100 jobs have been lost at Avana Bakeries in Rogerstone, it has been revealed.

Avana Bakeries ceased production yesterday with most of its workers being made redundant.

The Argus previously reported that jobs were under threat as the company faced financial difficulties.

The company had lost a major contract with Marks and Spencer in 2014.

John James, of Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, confirmed the news.

He said: “Workers will receive letters informing them of the news on Monday or Tuesday.

“All of the workers will be made redundant apart from eight.”

A specialised cake academy on the site will remain active but will have to search for new premises within the next six months.

Mr James added: “The eight remaining members of staff will sort out the cake academy.

“The machinery is up for sale but I am not sure what will happen with the land.

“I know a US company had expressed an interest in Avana but clearly nothing came of it.”

Newport resident Paul Murphy, who worked for the bakery for 26 years, said he was “really upset” with the announcement.

He said: “I have so many good memories at the company and I know loads of people will be sad.

“I’m shocked at this because Avana has been here for years and it is a part of Newport.

“I have so many good friends there and I am thinking of them.

“I really thought the company would have been saved.”

Julie Watkins, who worked at firm until five years ago, said “words cannot reveal how I am feeling”.

She said: “I didn’t think this would happen and my friends who work there thought the same as me.

“We all knew they had problems but because we didn’t hear anything we thought everything must have been falling into place.

“My friends who are working there are devastated.

“This is sad day for Newport.”