COUNCIL chiefs have pledged to do what they can to soften the blow of several hundred job losses at the Sandwich operation of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.

Kent County Council's spokesman for regeneration Cllr Alex King said it was "inevitable" the announcement would knock business confidence in the area.

But he insisted Pfizer's decision would not derail the economic regeneration of East Kent.

In a statement, Cllr King said: "We are saddened by the Pfizer announcement that it will progressively cut back the manufacturing operation at Sandwich.

"Recognising that multi-national organisations increasingly make decisions on a global front, it is inevitable that this decision will have an impact on business confidence in East Kent.

"Any job losses are to be regretted, but I am confident that Pfizer will continue their research and development operation at Sandwich given the massive investment of recent years.

"East Kent, with much progress already achieved in Thanet and particularly at Manston, is on a positive and upward trend. I am sure that we can overcome this setback very quickly and move forward in a positive way."

KCC also said it would do what it could to help those who lost their jobs to find alternative work.