POOR old Mr Rowntree would be turning in his grave if he could see what is happening to his beloved factory.

I love the smell of chocolate as you reach the area near Rowntree's (I still refuse to call it Nestl) and to see the busy factory churning away - almost magical, like the factory in the film Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

What a shame it has turned into a horror film and, like everything else in York, is losing the fight to survive. My dad has worked there for 24 years and is not sure what the future holds. His loyalty will stand for nothing. Another couple of years and we will hear of the full closure, I am sure.

Years ago we got to have a look around the factory as part of a family day. We came home loaded up with Smarties, cups, tea towels, a hat and a very enjoyable day indeed. We got to see where our dad worked and what he did, and the day was very memorable.

No chance of anything like that now.

It is so sad that we are losing so much of the factory and yet another blow to jobs in York. What hope have our children got?

Mrs Jenny Danks, Marston Crescent, York.

A City of York Council spokesperson said: "We recognise that this is a very difficult time for those directly affected by the recent announcements about job losses in the city and have every sympathy with them. Clearly, the skills required for new jobs may not closely match the skills of those made redundant. However, we are working with the Lifelong Learning Partnership (a partnership between the council, business and skill providers) to ensure that we can support people to ensure that they are able to gain the new skills neccessary."