A FACTORY in Hereford says it's busier than it's ever been and is now looking to recruit 100 more workers.

Avara Foods, formerly known as Sun Valley Poultry, has job vacancies across a range of departments at its factory in Red Barn Drive, Hereford.

“We’re keen to welcome new colleagues to our team at Hereford,” said Andrew Brodie, people and communications director at Avara Foods.

“We’re busier than ever before and need motivated, dedicated people to join our team.

"British shoppers rely on us every day to ensure their baskets remain filled and we’re proud to continue feeding the nation, despite the challenges the country has seen during the past few months.

"We’ve operated throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue to do so safely and efficiently.”

Strict health and safety measures have been implemented across Avara and throughout its supply chain to help protect colleagues from Covid-19.

Just some of the measures implemented include screens and curtains installed along production lines to create physical barriers, floor markers in canteens showing the physical distance colleagues should remain apart, and shifts and break times have been staggered to reduce the number of colleagues coming into contact with one another.

The 100 roles the company is currently trying to fill include a range of fixed term and permanent roles available in production, hygiene, quality assurance and transport.

Avara Foods is one of the UK’s largest foods businesses, supplying some of the nation’s top supermarket and restaurant chains.

The firm said during these challenging times many British companies are reducing staff numbers, but it is actively recruiting across its operations as demand for poultry products remains high.

"Chicken and turkey are staple products of many consumers’ weekly shops, and the company needs new colleagues at its Hereford site to help keep pace," a spokesperson said.

They added: "An investment of over £6.5m over the course of 2019 saw a suite of new technology installed and production capacity rising.

"This was part of a wider investment programme implemented to ensure Avara’s Hereford site remains one of the UK’s most advanced food manufacturing facilities in Europe."

To find out more visit avarafoods.co.uk/careers.