ABOUT 20 jobs are at risk with the closure of a timber mill in Kent.

Travis Perkins has announced that it is shutting its mill at Forstal Road, Aylesford, near Maidstone, in July next year. However, the company’s branch situated alongside the timber operation will continue to trade.

The closure decision follows a shakeup of its UK timber processing and distribution network. The company said that the site was too small to meet current needs.

It is in talks with around 20 staff likely to be affected by the closure.

Human resources direector Carol Kavanagh said: "We are saddened to announce the closure of the Aylesford timber mill, which has provided a quality service to our company over a number of years.

"Any employees affected at the close of the consultation will be given outplacement consultancy and every effort will be made to assist them in any subsequent job search."