Workers at Britvic's Norwich factory are set to go on strike over the redundancy package offered to them ahead of the site's closure.

Members of union GMB have voted in favour of industrial action in a move which they hope will encourage bosses at the Robinson's squash firm to negotiate a better pay off with the facility set to close in 2019.

Ivan Mercer, GMB regional officer, said: 'Members have voted in favour of industrial action in the hope that the company will agree to meet with GMB to negotiate a settlement.

'GMB have offered to negotiate on numerous occasions to avert a dispute with no response from the company.

'Unfortunately, it appears inevitable that members will need to follow through on their decision to take strike action and action short of strike action.'

The dates of industrial action will be announced in due course.

Britvic has said industrial action will not achieve a larger redundancy package.

A spokesman said: 'We are disappointed with the decision by the GMB to take industrial action.

'We acknowledge that the GMB is not satisfied with the proposed redundancy payments despite Britvic's commitment to offer every impacted Britvic employee an enhanced redundancy package.'

The decision to close the factory, with 242 jobs at risk, was made last December and the move prompted site neighbour Unilever to close its Colman's Mustard factory despite a campaign from this newspaper.