He is one of more than 100 workers preparing for a dark December after Stevenson & Co pork processors in Cullybackey confirmed yesterday it may go to the wall.

The firm blamed soaring electricity and oil prices as well as the increase in the cost of pigs for the crisis as economic doom continued to hit world markets.

Mr Tweed – the longest-serving worker at the century-old plant – said he was stunned.

The 62-year-old said: “The workers know the factory could shut in the next month and it was just a great shock to hear it.

“We were told of the news yesterday, but it’s not as bad for me as other young workers with families and mortgages to keep.

“I’m only a few years off retirement and this isn’t going to affect my Christmas as much, but it will be terrible for the young families.”

Union representatives are set to go into talks with bosses next week to discuss the timetable for closure.

Workers’ representative Bobby Hanna from the union Unite said: “It looks like there is now no alternative to closure and if it goes ahead it will have a devastating impact on the families of workers and the local community.”

The company said yesterday: “It is with regret that we have to announce the proposed closure of our business. We have arrived at this difficult decision because of adverse trading conditions.

“The price we pay for pigs has risen by £32.74 between January 2008 and August 2008. Our trading costs have risen by £4,500 per week in the last 12 months.

“These costs include electricity up 40 per cent and oil up 37 per cent.

“Businesses in Northern Ireland have the highest electricity costs in the UK.

“We very much regret this decision as it affects both our pig suppliers, customers and employees who have been loyal over the years.

“We would like to emphasise that all our creditors will be paid in full.”

Politicians in north Antrim said the community would be saddened to see the end of a business in operation for more than 150 years.

DUP MLA for North Antrim Mervyn Storey expressed concern at the news.

“This is a major blow, not just for the North Antrim area, but particularly for the pig industry across Northern Ireland,” he said.

“I have been in discussions with the owner of the company regarding the full extent of the problems they are facing as well as with the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment (Arlene Foster).

“The minister has assured me that if there is anything which her department can do to help this company then she will ensure that action is taken.

“Unfortunately, however, the future for this plant looks bleak but I will be continuing to do all I can, alongside colleagues to see what all the options are for the future.”

MEP Jim Allister said the closure had implications for the wider market.

“The exiting of one of the few remaining major pigmeat processors is further evidence of the difficulties the local pig sector finds itself in,” he said.