Workers at the threatened Cromer Crab Company have so far managed to escape compulsory redundancy after scores of staff volunteered to leave the struggling firm.

Owners Young's announced earlier this month that it would have to cut 70 jobs as whatever becomes of the Holt Road plant it will not be able to maintain the current number of employees.

Since then 70 workers have come forward and registered an interest in taking redundancy, meaning bosses have so far avoided the need to make any compulsory cuts.

Pete Ward, Young's chief operating officer, said the earliest leaving date for these staff will be January 16, with departures then being phased in depending on skills and 'declining volume requirements'.

He stressed the redundancies were not a reflection on the 'committed' team at Cromer and solutions to save the factory are still being pursued through the 90-day consultation, which is due to finish next Wednesday.

'We are working hard to pursue potential options including the possibility of an interested buyer for the site and ways to draw more volume into the factory,' he added.

So far two companies, including one Norfolk-based seafood firm, have expressed an interest in buying the site.

Workers were also set to meet with bosses from chocolate manufacturers Kinnerton for the second time to discuss possible job vacancies with their Fakenham-based business in the new year.