"I THINK Joseph Rowntree would have been completely devastated. He cared so much about people."

That was the scathing verdict on Nestls decision to axe 645 jobs in York - from a member of the Rowntree family.

Janet Rowntree also spoke of her fears that Nestl Rowntree's York factory will eventually close down altogether, saying: "I cannot be alone in feeling that I cannot trust Nestl to look after the future of its Rowntree division."

Mrs Rowntree, 63, of Escrick, was speaking out as dozens of Nestl workers headed to Manchester today to stage a demonstration outside the Labour party conference about the continuing loss of British manufacturing jobs.

She told The Press she had married a great-grandson of Joseph Rowntree, the Quaker philanthropist who built the chocolate factory in Haxby Road as well as providing decent homes for workers at the nearby model village of New Earswick.

And as a York Quaker herself, who had also carried out some research into his life and his faith, she believed she knew what his reaction would have been to last week's announcement, which involves part of the site being sold off for redevelopment and iconic brands such as Smarties being made abroad.

She said: "Joseph Rowntree was a man among men: he lived his Christian faith, he put others before himself, not just within his family but also within his employ. People enjoyed working for and with him.

"This sincere and amazing man cared so much for and about his staff. What a shame it is that, nowadays, we do not have the wisdom to follow his worthy example.

"I know there is a need to maintain profit margins. Joseph Rowntree was an astute businessman and made profits, but he always had regard to what was happening to people."

She believed he would have been "completely devastated" by Nestl's decision.

"He cared so much about people. He put high standards in place for his workforce - working conditions and educational, medical and sporting opportunities and welfare provision, particularly his care for employees and their families when illness struck."

She did not believe Nestl had taken on board his ideals after taking over the factory.

She said that after the departure of Terry's and the loss of a further 645 jobs at Nestl Rowntree, she had to ask the question: "How much longer will there be chocolate manufacturing in York?

"This is a very serious and very sad ongoing process.

"I cannot be alone in feeling that I cannot trust Nestl to look after the future of its Rowntree division and I fear that it will, ultimately, cease to operate in York.

"The present loss of jobs and livelihoods is dreadful, closing the Rowntree division or scaling it down much further would be tragic for all concerned and for this once proud chocolate manufacturing city."

She said she was "deeply saddened" by extremely gloomy prospects for workers in York, and would happily support any "dignified protest" against further job cuts by standing with protesters, if they wished.

A Nestl spokeswoman said the company was "very proud of its Rowntree heritage", and had "an equally strong tradition of social responsibility".

But it had to "take difficult steps" to prevent the jobs of "all employees at York" being lost in future.

The spokeswoman said: "Rowntree's pioneering employment practices, and its unique contribution to the city, were made possible because it was a successful and profitable business.

"It faced the same difficult decisions as any other company when times were tough.

"The York factory is no longer a competitive manufacturing site, and so we face just such a tough decisions."

She added that Nestl had invested £400 million in the factory since 1988, without which it would have faced closure.

But the company was now "committed to working with the council" to redevelop part of the site to "create new jobs for the city."