A Norfolk MP is set to meet employees of a meat processing plant at the weekend as a result of the potential loss of more than 500 jobs. Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, will be attending a rally in Thetford being held in protest at the planned closure of Tulip's fresh pork and bacon operation.

A Norfolk MP is set to meet employees of a meat processing plant at the weekend as a result of the potential loss of more than 500 jobs.

Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, will be attending a rally in Thetford being held in protest at the planned closure of Tulip's fresh pork and bacon operation.

Hundreds of workers staged a demonstration last week against the proposed loss of 350 permanent jobs and 200 agency posts at the Caxton Way site.

Members of the Transport and General Workers' Union will gather at Thetford's Thomas Paine statue on Saturday to launch a postcard campaign calling for "justice" from Tulip - whose parent company is Danepak - and the reinstatement of a redundancy package that is more than 20 years old.

Mr Fraser said: "I was very sorry to learn from Tulip that it proposes to cease production of fresh pork and bacon at its factory in Caxton Way. It will undoubtedly have serious implications for the local economy.

"I welcome the company's assurance that the proposed closure is in no way a reflection of the quality or dedication of the workforce or the wider Thetford community... and I am sad to learn that employees feel they have been let down by Danepak in terms of a long-standing enhanced redundancy package."

A meeting due to take place between Mr Fraser, Thetford business leaders and transport minister Stephen Ladyman today over the dualling of the A11 has been rescheduled for next month.