WORKERS at Watchet’s Wansbrough paper mill will be made redundant two days before Christmas.

The company said this week that the 45-day consultation period had ended and that - after 265 years of paper-making on the site – the mill would close on December 23 with the loss of 176 jobs.

Until then it will still be completing customers’ orders.

When D S Smith made the bombshell announcement in August it was revealed that the ageing plant had lost a major contract.

The company said it could not justify the investment that would be necessary to meet the demands of the modern market or to comply with stringent new pollution controls.

Although there had been fears of possible redundancies for some time, workers said that the complete closure of the mill had “come out of the blue”.

Local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said this week he hoped some of the workers would be offered jobs building Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, and he has approached the French energy giant EDF, who will build the plant, and other possible employers.

“There is a world of difference between paper-making and construction,” said Mr Liddell-Grainger.

“But I am hopeful that, within the huge workforce that Hinkley Point will require, there there will be positions for at least some members of the Wansbrough workforce, which has gained a well-deserved reputation for dedication, loyalty and sheer hard work.

“To suddenly lose 176 well-paid jobs is not only devastating for the individual families concerned but is going to hit hard across the whole of the West Somerset economy where wage levels are generally low.

“While we can fully appreciate the economic realities which have brought this matter to a head, it is a very hard blow for Watchet to bear and I am determined to pull out all the stops to see what alternatives are out there.”

Watchet Town Council chairman and district councillor Peter Murphy agreed that the loss of the town’s largest employer would have a major effect on Watchet.

But, he said, the mill site had great potential and there were hopes that some other use could be made of it.

In the meantime, efforts were being made to attract other businesses, although they would probably be on a smaller scale.

West Somerset Council was this week focusing on helping the soon-to-be jobless workers by providing advice, support and guidance and exploring work opportunities and training with partners including EDF Energy, Job Centre Plus and skills and training providers.

Council leader Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew said: “The paper mill has been a key employer in West Somerset for many years and our number one priority now is to do everything we can to support its employees.

“Our officers are working closely with D S Smith and other employers, partners and agencies.

“I can assure the community that we do not underestimate the significance of the situation and the effect on the employees, their families and wider West Somerset economy.”

The mill has been part of Watchet’s history for more than three centuries – paper was first made on the site in 1650s. A century later, the first paper milll factory was set up and has been in continuous production ever since. It now produces core-board and recycled envelope and bag paper.