MP Chloe Smith said she was working hard behind the scenes to secure a positive outcome for employees at Colman's and Britvic in Norwich.

The Norwich North Conservative MP said she spoke with the agriculture and food minister, George Eustice, to seek DEFRA's influence on Unilever's decision.

She said she had also spoken with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure its rapid response service was available if necessary.

Ms Smith said she had also sought information from the minister of international trade to see how his department could help.

She added: 'We need to continue to make the case for both businesses staying in Norwich and I hope that the public will continue to demonstrate the strength of feeling there is for these sites to remain open. I have worked hard behind the scenes in parliament and with the companies so far and will carry on doing so.'

On Tuesday, October 3, Britvic announced plans to close its Norwich factory and switch production to other parts of the UK, hitting 242 jobs.

Later that morning Unilever, the maker of Colman's Mustard, announced it was considering its own future at the Bracondale site.