The parent company of a big Midsomer Norton employer, Dickies Workwear, has just announced it is closing up its operations.

The move will be a huge blow to staff who work at the company HQ in Midsomer, which is in the industrial estate opposite the Centurion Hotel.

The company has warned that all of them are at risk of redundancy.

The statement issued by the company is as follows:

" VF is today announcing a proposal to discontinue and wind up its EMEA Dickies Workwear business. This might affect employees based in the Williamson-Dickie EMEA HQ at Midsomer Norton.

"Sadly, the proposal means that all roles at that site are at risk of redundancy, so this will now be the subject of consultation with employees.

" All affected employees have been given time to process this news and are not expected to work as normal today. We will do everything we can to fully support our colleagues through the consultation period and beyond, and will treat them fairly and with respect.

" We appreciate that Dickies Workwear is a significant employer in Midsomer Norton and the decision to put forward this proposal was not taken lightly. It follows a thorough review of the Dickies Workwear business in EMEA, which concluded the current business model is not in line with financial performance expectations.

"If the proposals are adopted, we intend to complete the full business closure in the UK by the 31st of March 2021."