A keen start has been made on plans to transform the Pfizer site when the drugs giant leaves Sandwich in 2012.

Pfizer staff, who received the bombshell two weeks ago, met east Kent MPs and the town’s mayor at a crisis meeting at Sandwich Guildhall.

Laura Sandys, MP for Sandwich and Thanet South, said: "Concerns and anxieties were raised about the consultation process by employees which we have already brought up with Pfizer."

Ms Sandys said there was "enthusiasm" for the site’s future at the meeting on Saturday. "Long way to go but great start," she added.

She told the Mercury that options and opportunities were weighed up, with some talking of possible management buy-outs.

"Employees discussed what potential business plans would look like," she said.

The MPs, including Dover and Deal’s Charlie Elphicke, Thanet North’s Roger Gale, and Canterbury’s Julian Brazier, have committed to more meetings with the staff before the pharmaceutical giant withdraws from east Kent.

The town’s mayor, Cllr Terry Clifford-Amos, said: "They looked like a bunch of people clearly in need of information and as much reassurance as can be given.

"Some were concerned about their redundancy packages and agreements."

To read more and to see more Pfizer stories, buy this week's East Kent Mercury or the Dover Mercury.