SUPERMARKET price wars and the strength of the pound are being blamed for the loss of some 60 jobs at a tomato nursery.

Officials from the Transport and General Workers' Union spent a day at the Humber VHB site at Hernhill, near Faversham, negotiating on behalf of the threatened employees.

The site is being sold to strawberry grower Money Peak Ltd, of Herefordshire, on November 8 as part of a major restructuring of Humber VHB's business.

The union is trying to save as many jobs as possible but the company is unable to take on any extra employees at its nearest nursery in Sandwich.

Humber VHB human resources director Steve Chadwick said: "We've got as a business to ensure we've a sound financial future and what we are faced with at the moment is the Spanish tomato growers who have over the last few years continued to extend their season."

The announcement had not come as a bolt out of the blue. The union knew about the company's difficulties but had hoped it had managed to overcome them.