Young's Seafood expansion creates 321 new jobs in Grimsby
More than 300 jobs will be created by the expansion of a seafood company in north-east Lincolnshire.
Young's Seafood Ltd is closing its facilities in Cumbria and Norfolk and increasing production at the Humberstone Road and Marsden Road factories in Grimsby.
The firm said those facing redundancy would get priority for the 321 jobs.
But Grimsby Fish Merchants Association said it believed the majority would go to local people.
A total of 776 people are currently employed at the company's two factories in Grimsby. The additional posts will increase the workforce to nearly 1,100.
Steve Norton, from the Grimsby Fish Merchants Association, said: "I think, for the types of jobs, the majority of those losing them probably wouldn't want the upheaval of moving.
"So I think the jobs are going to go to people in Grimsby and we have a dedicated workforce here for the seafood industry."
Labour MP for Great Grimsby Austin Mitchell said: "It's good news for Grimsby but it's sad for the other places that are shutting down.
"But it does facilitate the concentration of production here in Grimsby, which is the major centre [for Young's Seafood Ltd], so it'll be good for the town.
"It's a great benefit and we had to have it after the loss of Kerry Foods."
Young's said the decision to consolidate its operations came after a review of its fish processing operations and followed a 90-day consultation with staff at Cromer Crab Company in Norfolk, which it also owns.
The facilities in Seaham and Whitehaven, in Cumbria, could shut before the end of June, while Cromer is to close by August.