EMPLOYEES at a Somerset Müller plant have hit out at bosses claiming the factory is not regularly cleaned - but the company have insisted a 'rigorous' cleaning regime is in place.

Workers inside the factory in Market Way, North Petherton, have told The Bridgwater Mercury that no deep cleaning is taking place despite people testing positive for Covid-19.

The allegations come after Müller confirmed that a factory worker has died after testing positive for Covid-19 and 47 staff have tested positive for the virus. 95 staff are also currently self isolating.

But a spokesperson for Müller insists that additional measures are in place to protect workers including deep cleaning before each shift.

READ MORE: Worker at Somerset Müller factory dies of coronavirus after 47 catch the virus and 95 told to isolate

One worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "We have only recently had positives in the chill section of the factory. I can't speak for the shift with the main positives.

"A guy who works on the morning shift tested positive and there was no deep clean of the office he and the rest of chill staff use.

"People that came into contact with him self isolated themselves. They got tests and they came back negative they got told to return before the 10 days.

"During the first lockdown masks were handed out by senior members of staffs wearing PPE but this has stopped. Masks are just left on tables for any staff members to take and in my opinion this is a risk.

"In the chill we haven't seen any deep cleans but production may be different.

"One of the guys was car sharing with a car full of people on the way back from a shift, they all tested positive and he came to work the next day. He was not told to self isolate."

Another worker, who also wished to remain anonymous, said the atmosphere at the factory is 'not great' and workers are feeling 'demoralised.'

The worker said: "People don't feel safe in certain areas and the workers are demoralised because there isn't enough being done to guarantee our safety we feel expendable and replaceable."

But a spokesperson for Müller said they have measures in place to protect their workers.

"Mandatory corona prevention rules are in place at the site including measures to reduce contact between people, wearing of face coverings, ensuring personal hygiene and ensuring adequate ventilation, in line with best practice as set down by the Health and Safety Executive," the Müller spokesperson said.

"Employees must avoid car sharing with anyone from outside their own household or support bubble. If they have no choice, they must follow Government guidance.

"As a food production facility we maintain a rigorous cleaning regime in normal times, with additional measures currently in place including deep cleaning before each shift."