WHILE we feel for the workers who are to lose their jobs at the Crumlin-based Pot Noodle factory, we welcome the investment the company is making to keep the site open.

Seven months ago the plant's future was not looking so bright.

It was last September that Unilever announced it was to review its operations across Europe and there were very real fears that the factory, the only manufacturing plant the company has in Wales, would close for good with the loss of more than 200 jobs.

The revelation caused an outcry.

Today the future looks a lot brighter for the Crumlin factory, made famous as a result of a light-hearted TV advertising campaign featuring several of the Crumlin workers.

At least two thirds of the workforce will be able to keep their jobs.

The company is investing in new equipment which will effectively automate parts of the production process. This of course means workers being made redundant.

We realise 62 people will lose their jobs and for them and their families that is an awful situation.

But we hope that the loss of these jobs now will hopefully secure the factory's future in Crumlin.