A government taskforce will continue to work towards minimising the damage caused by the closure of a large meat processing plant in Broxburn.

The announcement on Friday that Hall’s meat factory in Broxburn, West Lothian would be closing caused anger due to the 1700 jobs which could be lost.

But Finance Secretary John Swinney has announced that the work of the taskforce will continue, despite the planned run-down of the site.

The taskforce was established in July after Vion, the company which owns the plant, announced plans to close.

It comprises of the Scottish Government, West Lothian Council, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International, Skills Development Scotland, trade unions, the company and local, elected representatives.

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The taskforce is due to meet again on October 10, which is the deadline Vion has set for buyers to bid for the plant.

Mr Swinney said: "Since Vion announced the proposed closure in July, the Scottish Government and its agencies have taken every action in our power to secure the future of the plant, working with the company and stakeholders.

"We will continue to do so over the coming days. We are still working to secure a buyer and the taskforce will meet again next week."

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead added: "With around 65 per cent of the pigs processed at Hall’s coming from Scottish farms, this difficult news clearly marks an unsettling time for Scotland’s pig industry. However, I can assure pig farmers that Scottish pork remains an important part of our food and drink offering going forward.

"We are monitoring the supply chain situation closely and Quality Meat Scotland are advising the Scottish Government on options, including an alternative plant capable of up-scaling to process the majority of pigs currently consigned to Halls."

(IT/GK)