Pfizer has announced plans that it will soften the blow of its exit from Sandwich by handing out cash grants to workers and local charities.

The news comes on the same day that the drugs giant gave letters to 900 staff telling them their jobs are officially at risk.

The Sandwich based firm, which announced it is pulling out of east Kent in December 2012, is still undergoing a statutory consultation period after dropping the bombshell on Sandwich in February.

Spokeswoman Lauren Starr said: "The company is granting enhancements to staff who are exiting the site to the equivalent of three months their base salary."

The cash is to "increase financial stability" for the employees and to help them fund retraining opportunities.

It is in addition to their redundancy packages.

In some cases, some charities will receive double the annual amount they usually receive from Pfizer.

Miss Starr added: "This is a one off fund to support the charities we have consistently supported in the last few years."

She said this is to provide some continuation in the hope the charities can progress in the community.

Employees have still not been told if they will lose their jobs or when.

Miss Starr said not all of those 900 workers will be made redundant.

The collective consultation finishes on May 1 and those who will lose their jobs will then receive notices of redundancy depending on when their departments cease to exist.