Protests fail to save Vestas turbine plant

Vestas, the wind-turbine maker, closed two factories on the South Coast yesterday with the loss of 425 jobs.

The Danish company ceased blade production at its sites in Southampton and on the Isle of Wight. Workers had occupied the Isle of Wight plant for 18 days in protest at the closures until last week.

Vestas Wind Systems had obtained a court order after six workers barricaded themselves into the plant for more than two weeks in a bid to delay its closure. Members of the Climate Rush campaign group, left, also chained themselves to Business Secretary Lord Mandelson's home in London, in an "act of solidarity". Originally it was believed there would be 625 job cuts but Vestas said yesterday that it had made 425 staff redundant.

The firm said it had mitigated job losses, with 40 employees found new roles and 57 continuing work at the factory for a further period to assist in its closure.