A TOTAL of 103 jobs are to go at Unilever's Purfleet plant even though the company still plans to make a £7million investment in the site.

The news comes seven months after the company announced it was launching an operational review at Purfleet, where around 300 people are employed.

Peter McMorris, factory manager, said: "The management team has worked closely with the local review group to engage all employees on the challenges the site faces and our proposed plans for change.

"The announcement brings to an end a period of uncertainty and will allow us to turn our attention, to consulting on and implementing the changes that need to be made to secure the site's long-term future.

"In doing this, we will work closely with employee representatives, to ensure we provide all the necessary support and help to assist our employees at this difficult time.

"It is our intention to begin the consultation process as soon as possible and we will be meeting with employee representatives in the next few days to agree the best approach to achieving the changes that need to be made."

Unilever is investing £7million over the next two years to improve the site's equipment.

The factory produces a variety of margarines including Flora and Stork.