Striking food factory workers march through town

Hundreds of striking workers have marched through a Lincolnshire town.

Unite said more than 700 staff at Bakkavor in Spalding have been on strike since 27 September in a dispute over pay.

The union claimed the employees, who make meals for supermarkets, earn just above the minimum wage.

The company said its pay offer was "well above inflation and national living wage".

Workers marched through Spalding town centre waving flags and banners.

Sam Hennessy from Unite said the protest was about "making the public aware".

"Our numbers have been very strong and we've actually seen a lot of people join the pickets and join the strike action since the action's taken place over three weeks ago," he said.

Bakkavor said it had offered 7.8% pay rises to its lowest paid workers and 6.4% to other staff.

Sadie Woodhouse, general manager at Bakkavor Spalding said: “We are clearly disappointed that the union moved forward with strike action despite our efforts to positively negotiate with them and us putting a good deal on the table, well above inflation and national living wage."

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