MORE people may have to be laid off from Bernard Matthews unless consumer confidence is restored, it has emerged.Some 165 workers have lost their jobs, mostly from the firm's factory in Great Witchingham, in Norfolk, after sales fell in the wake of the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Holton, near Halesworth.

MORE people may have to be laid off from Bernard Matthews unless consumer confidence is restored, it has emerged.

Some 165 workers have lost their jobs, mostly from the firm's factory in Great Witchingham, in Norfolk, after sales fell in the wake of the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Holton, near Halesworth.

And now, the company has announced there may be more to come unless sales significantly increase.

A company spokesperson said: “It is too early say how many more staff will have to be laid off but we are continuing to work with the relevant unions and inform staff of any updates on the situation.

“We are doing everything we can to limit the number of temporary lay-offs - however, this will depend on consumer confidence.”

She said that the firm's overall product sales have levelled off but have not yet started to significantly increase.

A spokesperson for the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU), which has been working closely with Bernard Matthews, said they would be disappointed if there were further lay-offs but urged consumers to support the firm.