Plans announced on Tuesday (15 January) by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to lay off between 5 and 8 per cent of their global workforce threatens up to 240 people at the Sandwich development plant.

The Leader of Dover District Council has expressed concern at news that jobs are under threat but says that the Council is working with partner agencies and the pharmaceutical company to help retain jobs in the area.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said: “We are of course concerned to hear that jobs are under threat at the Pfizer site in Sandwich and about the effect this will have on our local communities.

"The company has been talking to us about possible changes, and we have been made aware that they are redesigning the configuration at Sandwich as part of their long term commitment to this globally important site.

"These are specialist jobs, and we are working with a range of partners to set up a special liaison group to work with Pfizer to see if staff can be relocated, and to see if these jobs can be retained in the East Kent economy.”