Unilever Bestfoods has announced the loss of 51 permanent and 36 temporary jobs in its HB Ice Cream and Birds Eye Frozen Foods divisions.

Twenty-two of the permanent jobs will go in Dublin with the remainder in its various depots around the State.

The job losses result from the closure of all its depots, the out-sourcing of cold-store operations and new working arrangements for van sales.

Unilever Bestfoods said yesterday that the job reductions resulted from changes in the company's distribution operations, following an extensive review of existing arrangements and taking into account the rapidly evolving marketplace and requirements of customers.

"The measures are critical in shaping the business of the future, improving service to customers and maintaining market leadership," a statement added.

All staff concerned had been informed of the changes, the company said. It will enter into detailed discussions with those involved in the coming weeks.

Mr Jules Noten, Unilever Bestfoods' chairman, said the decision was necessary to meet customer needs and maintain the company's distribution network into the future.

Twenty-two additional jobs are to be created in new areas of distribution activity.

Unilever Bestfoods employs over 1,000 people in Ireland, the bulk of them in HB Ice Cream and Birds Eye Frozen Foods.

Its other main brand is Lyons tea.