THE number of jobs that could be lost in Okehampton because of restructuring by a major dairy company has dropped by almost half.

Fresh milk company Robert Wiseman Dairies in September confirmed 93 jobs may potentially be affected due to two new centres opening elsewhere in the country.

But news this week that the number of job losses may not be as many as first feared has been welcomed by the trade union representing employees at Wisemans.

The dairy three months ago went into a 30-day consultation period, during which time it asked staff at the Okehampton centre for their input and ideas.

The firm considered scaling down production shifts at the Exeter Road plant from two to a single operation, which would cut the 150-strong workforce by more than half.

It also offered a good package for anyone who wanted to move from Okehampton to the new dairy in Bridgwater, Somerset.

The dairy also announced plans to increase capacity from 250 million litres to 375 million litres per annum.

A spokesman for Robert Wiseman Dairies said discussions between staff who will be affected, unions and the company are ongoing.

The spokesman said: 'The company is working hard with unions to ensure that all employees affected by this reorganisation have the best possible chance of continuing their employment with Wisemans, or securing employment elsewhere.

'The situation is still a work in progress and there has been no definite conclusion as regards to the exact number of job losses in the Okehampton area.

'We will need to do a one to one interview with employees and it is too early to give an exact number right now.

'We are still very conscious of the number of people who might be offered redundancy over Christmas and who may be affected by this.

'We are trying very hard to maximise employment with Robert Wiseman Dairies.'

The Scottish company is set to employ up to 300 staff at its £15-million distribution centre in Amesbury in Wiltshire, which opened last month.

The award-winning dairy company moved its Torrington operation to the Okehampton site in 2006, which resulted in 45 job losses at the time.

West Devon Borough Cllr Christine Marsh said: 'Although the number of job losses has decreased, the whole situation couldn't have come at a worse time over Christmas.

'It is still a huge amount of jobs to go for this area and it will have a devastating affect on lots of people.

'Some will take early retirement and some will be relocated.'

Cllr Marsh said the loss of jobs, whatever the number, will have a knock-on effect on the town.

She said: 'Robert Wiseman Dairy is a big employer for this area, we are on a low wage and people need to work.

'There's not enough employment in Okehampton for people to just get another job elsewhere and what families and individuals must be going through is terrible.

'We can only hope the numbers don't increase because all jobs at the moment are precious.'

John Gorle, of the trade union Usdaw, said: 'I am extremely pleased with the announcement that there will be fewer redundancies at the company. 

'I believe that this was a direct result of a robust consultation process between Wisemans and Usdaw. 

'The company listened to the alternative options that we proposed and responded positively.'