Food giant Nestle has confirmed plans to axe almost 600 jobs and close one of its UK factories.
Nestle wants to close its site in Fawdon, in Newcastle upon Tyne, by the end of 2023.
It said 573 jobs in total would be "put at risk" with 475 workers facing redundancy in Newcastle, and a further 98 jobs on the line in York.
The Newcastle factory opened in 1958 and makes sweets like Fruit Pastilles, Matchmakers and Rolos.
Nestle, which employs 8,000 workers in the UK, says it will instead invest millions in its York and Halifax factories.
Around £20million will be put into its York facility, while £9.2million will be spent at Halifax.
The company is proposing to move production of products from Newcastle to other factories in the UK and Europe.
Nestle cut 300 jobs at its York factory back in 2017 as it switched some production to Poland.
Nestle said: "We do not underestimate the impact that the closure of Fawdon factory would have on the local area.
"As part of the consultation, we want to work with the local community to find ways that we can support the area and our employees if these proposals were to go ahead.
"We believe that the business case behind these proposed changes is compelling and, ultimately, the best way to keep our business competitive in the long term."
The GMB union said the job cuts would "ruin hundreds of lives" and would be helping those who are made redundant.
Ross Murdoch, GMB National Officer, said: "To ruin hundreds of lives in a ruthless pursuit of profits, to the very workers who've kept the company going during a global pandemic, is sickening.
"Nestle is the largest food producer in the world, with astronomical profits. It can afford to treat workers right.
"It's corporate greed at its worst - GMB and Unite will fight for every job."
