DOLBY Laboratories has announced it is closing its manufacturing operation in Wootton Bassett with the loss of 60 jobs.

The international sound firm, which employs a total of 170 people at the Interface industrial estate off Bincknoll Lane, cited “changing market conditions” for its decision.

The news comes after a three-month consultation period with staff, which ended this week.

Company spokesman Mark Price said: “Dolby Laboratories is a world-class innovator in entertainment technologies and continuously seeks ways to strengthen its role in key business areas. A review of our manufacturing facilities in the UK and the USA identified that because of changing market conditions, we will have too much manufacturing capacity.

“Having concluded a comprehensive consultation process with our UK employees, the proposal to close our UK manufacturing operation at Wootton Bassett and consolidate manufacturing operations at a single facility has been accepted.

“Consequently, Dolby’s manufacturing operations at Wootton Bassett will cease at the end of April 2009 with the loss of 60 jobs.”

However, Mr Price emphasised that the rest of the business activities based at the site in Wootton Bassett will not be affected by the redundancies.

The company has been based in the town since 1993, when it was opened by Princess Anne.

Former mayor and North Wilts district councillor Audrey Wannell said the redundancies would be felt throughout the town.

She said: “This is shocking news. I feel so sorry for these poor people that are losing their jobs, everybody is trying to make ends meet, especially those with young families.

“It’s no good the Government saying there are plenty of jobs out there, because there just aren’t anymore. I just don’t know when it is going to end.”