Confectionery giant Nestle is planning to cut seven jobs in Girvan following plans to move the production of Blue Riband biscuits to Poland.

It is understood workers will be expected to volunteer for redundancy. There will be a 45 day consultation period shortly between Nestle and trade unions.

Almost 300 jobs are at risk across the UK including Girvan, York and Newcastle as well as a small number of cuts in Halifax, West Yorkshire. 

The GMB and Unite unions both criticised the news, with the GMB saying Nestle should "be exporting chocolate and not jobs".

The company is proposing 143 job cuts in York, 110 at Fawdon, 15 in Halifax and seven in Girvan, the unions said.

Nestle said in a statement: "These proposals span four different sites: York, Fawdon, Halifax and Girvan and may result in a reduction of 298 roles, predominantly at York and Fawdon, through 2017 and 2018. It is expected that these would be achieved through voluntary redundancies.

"The proposed changes include amended and standardised shift patterns at each factory and, at Fawdon, the most complex of Nestle's UK confectionery sites, the transfer of Blue Riband production to a Nestle factory in Poland. This would mean being able to simplify and focus Fawdon's operation.

"These proposals are being made by Nestle UK to ensure that these sites operate more efficiently and remain competitive in a rapidly changing external environment.

"A 45 day consultation on these proposals will commence as soon as possible with trade unions and employee representatives. Nestle UK appreciates that this is an uncertain time for employees and will work hard to ensure all are supported through this difficult period."