ONE of Plymouth's largest employers, The Wrigley Company, is likely to make 50 workers redundant – because the recession has caused a decline in gum chewing.

The firm said the possible job losses, which equate to about eight per cent of its 609 employees, could fall anywhere across its UK operation.

But although the firm has an office in Reading, and 'field staff', 449 of its workers are at the Estover factory.

The company said no decision had yet been made on if and where the axe would fall, and stressed it was hoped staff would be invited to take voluntary redundancy.

But if jobs are lost in Plymouth they will follow 16 redundancies made at the city factory in January, when it also reviewed its 'operational structure'.

Wrigley said the redundancy proposals would now be subject to consultation, firstly with workers' elected representatives, and then with individual employees.

"Should the proposals proceed, and where it is possible, the company will be inviting people to take voluntary redundancy," a company spokeswoman said.

The lateset 'restructuring', as the firm terms it, comes after the Plymouth factory told workers to stay at home during the Easter and late May bank holidays, when normally the plant would be in operation. The company today said the economic downturn had taken its toll on the masticating habits of the British public.

"The UK gum category is facing a significant challenge due to the recession which has led to an overall reduction in the sale of chewing gum," the spokeswoman said.

"In order to remain competitive, the company has to match the size of its UK operations to consumer demand.

"This announcement is made with significant regret, but the health of the UK business relies on it remaining competitive, particularly during challenging economic times.

"Wrigley believes the long-term prospects for the gum category remain good and looks forward to continuing to deliver the innovation and quality consumers expect."

The Wrigley company is a worldwide producer of household-name confectionary, producing gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, lollipops, and chocolate.

The company has operations in more than 40 countries and distributes in more than 180.

Wrigley is headquartered in Chicago, USA, and operates as a subsidiary of one of the world's largest food companies: Mars, Incorporated.