INTERNATIONAL paper company, M-real has announced the possible closure of their Sittingbourne Mill which could leaving 350 workers jobless.

The company, whose headquarters are in Finland are entering into a consultation process with staff and unions about the closure after rising energy and raw material costs together with falling demand meant the mill has become "unprofitable".

Mill manager Nick Carter said: "We very much regret that there will be a lot of uncertainty for all our staff, their families, our suppliers and customers until the future of the mill is finally decided."

There are no plans to include M-real's New Thames Mill at Kemsley.

* FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S SITTINGBOURNE EDITION OF THE KENT MESSENGER