UK crisp and snack manufacturer Golden Wonder is to close a factory in Lancashire. The company blames falling sales of own-brand crisps within UK supermarkets for the decision, which will result in a number of job losses.

The company, which is currently running at a loss, makes about three-quarters of supermarket own-brand crisps sold in Britain. Demand in this sector has fallen by 40 per cent over the past five years as consumers have turned to independent crisp brands and alternative snacks.

The factory in the town of Skelmersdale currently produces over 7.6 million cases of crisps each year, which accounts for 33 per cent of Golden Wonder's total crisps production. The move therefore represents a significant change of strategy.

According to Golden Wonder , crisp production will be concentrated at the company's plants in Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire.