THE jobs of nearly 600 workers have been saved after Brandons turkey factory in Abergavenny was rescued from receivership on Monday.

A new company called Cranberry Foods Limited has taken over running the factory and its bosses are confident about the future.

Joint managing directors Andrew Lewins and David Horn are expected in Abergavenny later today (Wednesday) to talk to the 589 workers about the new set-up.

The news of the sale has been greeted with huge relief by local business and civic leaders who admitted the loss of the jobs would have been devastating to the area.

Alex Edwards, president of the Abergavenny Chamber of Trade, said: "This is wonderful news for our town and the area as a whole. It is just fantastic that the families of the employees concerned will have some stability at last and it is definitely a boost for our local economy."

David Waring, leader of Monmouthshire County Council, said: "We are absolutely delighted that the 600 jobs have been secured. I have contacted our economic development officers and asked them to write to the directors of Cranberry Foods to let them know just how pleased we are with this. We wish the new firm all the best for the future and hope they are able to grow their business."

Mayor of Abergavenny, Victor Barrett said: "I'm obviously delighted that the jobs have been safeguarded as I am sure are the employees and their families."

The deal struck by Cranberry Foods means they acquire all Brandons former assets across the UK.

Mr Lewins said: "This is a very good news day for the Brandons workers at Abergavenny and Scropton in Derbyshire.

"The business went through some tough times prior to entering receivership, and has endured a lot of uncertainty since.

"But we certainly intend to maintain production at the current capacity at Abergavenny." Mr Lewins said that he and Mr Horn -- both former executives of Grampian Country Foods - were passionate believers in the UK poultry industry and its potential over the coming years.

"Brandons had a good retail sales ledger and this will provide us with a platform from which to launch the company's recovery."

In Brandons they've acquired a business which employs over 1,000 people nationally and has a turnover of around £90 million.

Rob Hunt of receivers PricewaterhouseCoopers said: "I'm delighted that a sale of the business has been secured."