THE closure of a Copplestone business will have " a dire effect on the community," says a local resident.

Parnell Lang , manufacturers of pet foods and suppliers of bird seed and wildlife gardening products under the parent company, Ernest Charles, is to close with the loss of 13 jobs.

The closure comes as a result of a review of the business, in light of current economic conditions as well as the cost of transportation to the packing and warehouse operations in Moulton in Lincolnshire and Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

Also taken into consideration was the considerable investment needed to bring the wild bird food facility up to industrial leading standards.

Parnell Lang have been at Copplestone since 1990 supplying between 200 and 230 metric tonnes of bird food per week.

Customers will still be able to order from Ernest Charles as operations will continue in Moulton and Kings Lynn.

Although Parnell Lang used some local suppliers, this was only a small percentage, as seed was sourced from both national and international sources.

Four members of staff had been with the company for more than 10 years and some had specialised jobs that will make it very difficult to find a similar job in the area, although Parnell Lang believe that their roles are transferable.

Alternative employment cannot be offered by Parnell Lang as they have no other sites in the area.

The Parnell Lang site at Copplestone will be put up for sale, but at this stage it is not known what type of interest there might be.

A spokesman from the head office of Parnell Lang Enterprises Ltd said: "We are very sad to have to do this and we are very appreciative of the dedication of all the staff at Copplestone."

Nora Parminter