Cadbury announces closure of Keynsham chocolate factory

LONDON: Chocolate maker Cadbury announced plans on Wednesday to close a 500-worker factory in southwest England.

``In order to continue to grow and remain competitive in the future we need to operate more effectively and reduce costs. Therefore, we are proposing a phased closure of our Keynsham chocolate factory from 2009 to 2010, affecting all 500 employees,'' the company said in a statement.

Chocolate production from the factory is to be transferred to plants in Birmingham, central England, and Poland, the company said.