CF Fertilisers UK Limited has announced plans to close its operations at its Ince manufacturing plant near Chester, which will see the loss of over 280 jobs.

In a statement the company said:

"CF Fertilisers UK proposes to focus its manufacturing operations in the UK exclusively at the Billingham manufacturing facility in Teesside

Billingham is the largest ammonia, ammonium nitrate (AN) and carbon dioxide (CO2) production facility in the country.

The company believes that the facility is better positioned for long-term sustainability

CF Fertilisers is proposing to:

"The people and facilities that make up CF Fertilisers UK are part of a proud, 100-year history of providing customers in the UK with products vital to the country’s food security and industrial activity,” said Brett Nightingale, managing director, CF Fertilisers UK.

“However, as a high-cost producer in an intensely competitive global industry, we see considerable challenges to long-term sustainability from our current operational approach.

“We expect to begin collective redundancy consultation with union and other employee representatives shortly.

"We intend to provide our team with all possible support through what we recognise will be a very challenging time for them.”