Workers at turkey giant Bernard Matthews face an uncertain future after bosses admitted they were planning to lay off staff.The Great Witchingham-based firm, which employs 2,600 in East Anglia and more than 6,000 nationally, has revealed plans for a reduction in worker numbers to meet lower production requirements.

Workers at turkey giant Bernard Matthews face an uncertain future after bosses admitted they were planning to lay off staff.

The Great Witchingham-based firm, which employs 2,600 in East Anglia and more than 6,000 nationally, has revealed plans for a reduction in worker numbers to meet lower production requirements.

Officials at the company said the cuts were “seasonal” following peak production of turkeys for sale over Christmas.

Numbers have yet to be confirmed and it is not clear what positions will be affected, but the first jobs are expected to go after Easter.

It was also not clear whether the workers are on temporary or permanent contracts or whether the cuts will involve compulsory redundancies, but the company said it was in negotiations with union officials at the Unite union.