Seventy-four jobs are under threat at a Workington factory.

Amcor Flexibles Cumbria has announced plans to cut more than a fifth of its 360-strong workforce at Salterbeck Industrial Estate.

Bosses say the restructure will help convert the business into a "healthy platform for growth serving the UK snacks and confectionery market".

Staff were told of the plans on Tuesday.

A 45-day consultation period has been launched involving union Unite, which has about 200 members at Amcor.

Steve Gibbons, Unite regional officer, said intensive talks with management were planned from next Monday to Wednesday to find out more about the reasons behind the proposals.

He added: "We'll be looking to get the number of job losses down as far as we can and put counter proposals to the company.

"We hope there'll be a strong future for the company."

Mr Gibbons said he hoped the consultation period will be extended beyond the proposed 45 days.

Angela Gibbs, plant general manager at Amcor, said: "With the implementation of these changes we would strengthen the ability of the business to return to being one of the UK’s premier packaging plants.

"We do regret what would be unavoidable job losses at our site, and the impact on those who leave us and their families.

"We intend to do what we can to mitigate the impact by providing fair and reasonable severance benefits, including support and assistance to help prepare people for their job search."

The company has not given details of the reasons behind its proposals.

Amcor dates back to the 1860s, when Yorkshire stonemason Samuel Ramsden relocated to Australia and established Victoria's first paper mill.

In the 1970s and 1980s it diversified the range of packaging products it created.

It now operates more than 180 sites in more than 40 countries with 29,000 and describes itself as "a global leader in responsible packaging solutions".

It supplied rigid and flexible packaging products into the food, beverage, healthcare, home and personal care and tobacco industries.

Last month, staff at the factory produced thousands of Walkers crisp packets to commemorate Leicester football team's Premier League championship.

Amcor supplies packaging for Pepsico, the company which owns the Walkers Crisps brand.