FOOD company Nestle could shed up to 90 jobs in the region after selling a major part of its business, it was claimed yesterday.

The firm is in talks with workers at its factory in York, the city's biggest employer, about the effects of a decision to sell several famous brands.

Employees said staff in the group purchasing department had been told that it was to close.

One said: "I have been told that about 35 people would be made redundant with the closure of the group purchasing department and that altogether about 90 redundancies are expected."

It is thought they would take effect from about September.

In January, the company announced it was selling brands including Rowntree's jelly, Branston Pickle, SunPat peanut butter and Gales Honey.

A Nestle spokeswoman said York's jobs losses could be considerably lower than 90. and the firm was working to keep the figure as low as possible.