THE name will live on in the hearts of York people - but today a big part of the city's history died.

Terry's of York, a confectionery firm whose very name was synonymous with York around the world, finally closed its factory in the city.

In a sense, today was a symbolic day because the company had been winding down since falling victim to the international corporate world. To the accountants at Kraft Foods, owners of Terry's since 1993, this proud local chocolate firm was just another part of its global empire - its work to be taken away and put somewhere else, like pieces on a giant board game.

A tradition stretching back to 1767, when citrus peel importers Robert Berry and William Bayldon started making confectionery in the city, ended today as production of the Chocolate Orange moved to Poland.

Many hoped Kraft might relent, but in the end the wishes of this city - and the 5,000 signatures of Evening Press readers who signed up to our Save Terry's campaign - were not enough.

In a sign of the high-handed disdain with which Kraft treated our campaign, the company never even acknowledged the open letter we sent to its boss.

The Terry's name will live on too at the Bishopthorpe Road site, which has stirred interest from all over Britain, with 100 potential developers submitting plans. One suggestion for this fine and historic building is that it could be used as a conference centre - something the city desperately needs.

So goodbye Terry's - banished but never forgotten.

Updated: 09:49 Friday, September 30, 2005