Report by Kirk England - Twitter @kirknorthdevon
"I'm proud and privileged to have worked here - we feel stabbed in the back by the Government." Jake McClean, GMB
Workers left Appledore shipyard for the last time after operators Babcock decided to put an end to its work at the site.
Although many of the 200 workers had been redeployed to Babcock's site at Devonport, some left the Appledore shipyard this afternoon.
Mayor of Appledore Kenny Davis, himself a 30 year veteran of the yard, said, "it's a sad day for British shipbuilding and an even sadder day for Appledore."
Geoff Wilton has worked at the shipyard for 35 years as chief naval architect.
He said: "It's a sad day for me. I was due to retire anyway but it's always in your heart when you've been there that long."
Dave Lawrence, who has worked at the shipyard for 38 years, said: "It's a sad day for everyone, not least the community around it.
"Hopefully there might be someone to take it on, finger's crossed."
160 years of shipbuilding comes to an end as Appledore yard closes
GMB Union representative Jake McClean said North Devon was losing a "proud industry" today.
He said: "It's a real blow to the system. I am proud and privileged to have worked here now for the past seven years.
"I've made friends for life and I hope this isn't going to be the end of this yard.
"We are just sad and feel like we've been stabbed in the back by the Government who haven't helped us keep this yard open."
Unite representative Barry Hooper, who has worked at the shipyard since 1974, agreed.
He said: "Our Government could have given us work here and kept this yard going.
"We are a Tory voting area and our men feel they've been let down by their own Government.
"It's disgusting, absolutely disgusting. Jobs are going to go, it's going to have a terrible effect on the community and all the local businesses that deal with the yard."
MPs & Transport Minister discuss ferry construction plans for Appledore Shipyard
The shipyard, which first opened in 1855, has seen more than 200 vessels built inside its facilities.
About 200 workers are still technically employed at the North Devon location, though most have already been transferred to Babcock's Devonport facility in Plymouth, making the long journey there and back each day.
A farewell event is being held at the First In Last Out pub in Bideford, which is run by a former Appledore worker, tomorrow.
The closure was announced by Babcock back in December last year.
Both Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox and North Devon MP Peter Heaton-Jones had met with the Minister for Transport, Nus Ghani, to discuss the possibility of building a passenger ferry at shipyard in an attempt to save it.
However, it seems the appeal was fruitless and the shipyard will now be marketed to other firms.
