Wolverhampton Goodyear closure: It's heartbreaking to say bye to family

It was announced earlier this year the Bushbury Lane plant was to close with 330 job losses.

The first wave of redundancies will officially take effect on New Year's Eve, but the workers have either accrued holiday or are entitled to rest days meaning around 40 have already completed their final shifts.

Colleagues who have worked together for years have been saying their last goodbyes and posting messages of support on social media.

Wayne Devaney, who has worked at the tyre plant for 28 years, said: "It was really hard saying ta-ra to the guys. We have worked together for so long.

"We have become like brothers. On the shop floor we call it the Goodyear family.

"I know how many sugars these guys have in the cups of tea – it is heartbreaking.

"I admit I had a lump in my throat saying goodbye, knowing I may not see them again.

"We are going to try and meet up over Christmas at the pub but it won't be the same when we come back in the New Year."

Mr Devaney has been told he will be made redundant at the end of January when around a further 50 workers will leave.

He added: "Those of us leaving in the next wave are gutted because we expected it to be nearer May.

"It seems there will be people leaving throughout the year in January, February, March and then again in May and August."

Bosses at Goodyear have not confirmed exactly how many workers will be leaving on which dates but previously revealed the first wave had been achieved through voluntary redundancies.

Kate Macnamara, communications manager at Goodyear, said: "Each of the workers set to leave at the end of December volunteered to be part of the first group to take redundancy.

"Like most factories, we operate a shift pattern, including nights. The rota has rest days built in, so for some associates, depending on where they are in the shift cycle, it means that they now have rest days or accrued holidays and won't have to work another shift, although they are still employed until the end of the month."

The closure of the Wolverhampton plant will bring to a close a 90-year affiliation between the tyre giant and the city.

Wolverhampton council has been working with Department for Work and Pensions, Job Centre Plus and City of Wolverhampton College to offer support to workers. They will be offered recruitment and retraining support, as well as careers guidance, interview skills preparation and pension planning advice.

Councillor John Reynolds, Wolverhampton council's cabinet member for city economy, said: "This is clearly a distressing time for the workers set to leave Goodyear.

"But the aim of the taskforce from the beginning has been to ease their burden and get back into work as soon as possible."

"It is crucial there is a co-ordinated approach to providing a one-stop shop for the workers affected to seek advice and support on their futures.

"There are reasons for optimism with a number of major employers moving to the area in recent times, such as Jaguar Land Rover and Wiggle."