More than 70 concerned residents attended a public meeting about the former factory earlier this month and there were fears the land could be used for another large housing estate, in addition to the two already planned for the village.

Now the firm's UK business director has set the record straight, telling the Lynn News there are no plans in place to sell or develop the site, in Bankside.

James Harvey said once the factory buildings had been demolished for "health and safety reasons," the land would be levelled, grassed over and fenced-off.

He said Del Monte had "every sympathy for its neighbours" and the site would not become an eyesore for residents.

Mr Harvey added: "There are no active plans to sell the site. You can never say never, but we are not actively trying to sell. We have not got a definite timescale for its demolition, but it will be sooner rather than later.

"We are concerned with making the site as safe as possible, as soon as possible."

The factory, which produced fruit juices and canned food, was an iconic feature on the banks of the River Great Ouse for decades before it closed at the beginning of March, leaving around 80 workers unemployed.

Mr George King, chairman of the West Lynn Forum which called the public meeting, said: "We have taken this information on board and will be discussing it."

The group was due to discuss the news at a meeting last night.