More time has been given to decide the fate of the threatened Cromer Crab Company.

The 90-day consultation, which was launched in September in a bid to seek out a solution that would stop the Holt Road factory from shutting down, was due to close today.

But owners Young's Seafood Ltd have announced they will be extending talks with the hope of securing a firm future for the Holt Road plant, which could include the possibility of bringing more 'volume into the factory'.

Since the consultation began bosses have cut 70 jobs but have managed to avoid making compulsory redundancies, after scores of staff volunteered to leave the struggling firm.

Pete Ward, Chief Operating Officer at Young's, said: 'The consultation continues and 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.

'Our staff in Cromer continue to work in a committed and professional way and have ensured the site successfully delivered the products produced for the festive period.'

As well as extending the consultation period at Cromer, Young's has also launched formal discussions with staff over the future of three seafood factories it took on at the beginning of December.

The former Cumbrian Seafoods sites in Whitehaven, Seaham and Amble went into administration on December 5 but were quickly snapped up by Young's parent company Lion Capital.

But bosses are now looking to restructure the Cumbrian plants, which could result in the loss of 555 jobs - the combined workforce of all three factories.

Young's has said it is 'too soon' to say how the moves in Cumbria will affect the Cromer site.