Bosses at an Oswestry factory have moved to reassure staff that they are working closely with Public Health England to ensure their safety after seeing a small increase in positive coronavirus tests.

Arla Foods, which is based in Maes-Y-Clawdd, has remained open throughout the entire Covid-19 lockdown period, but has seen a small increase in confirmed cases of the virus over the last month.

However, bosses there say staff are taking their responsibilities over the virus seriously, with increased washing of hands and measures at the factory to avoid further positive cases, and rebuffed local claims that there was an outbreak.

A spokesman said: “We have been closely monitoring regional uplifts in coronavirus cases and media reports of spikes seen in food manufacturing facilities, particularly where these are in close proximity to Arla sites.

“One area of particular focus is Shropshire and Wrexham which is where our Oswestry cheese packing facility is located.

“As a result we have seen a small increase in confirmed cases of coronavirus at this site over the past month.

The spokesman added: “Of the 340 employees working at our Oswestry site, 12 individuals have tested positive over the last month.

“As with all our sites, Oswestry has been operating continuously since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and we have been managing the impact of coronavirus across our operations since March.

“We are working closely with Public Health England and have extensive measures implemented at our sites to help protect our colleagues.”