Fears for Fraserburgh Young's Seafood jobs

Fears have been expressed for jobs at a major Aberdeenshire seafood factory after its parent company lost a major contract.

Young's Seafood has told staff at its Fraserburgh operation that Sainsbury's had not renewed its contract for fresh and smoked salmon.

Nine hundred people - about 400 of whom are agency workers - are employed by Young's in Fraserburgh.

It is understood up to 300 of those jobs are linked to the lost contract.

The contract does not come to an end until November.

'Discuss the implications'

The town's MSP Stewart Stevenson said he spoke to the company's chief executive and was told there would likely be an impact on jobs.

Young's Seafood chief executive Pete Ward said: "We will be engaging with our employees and other stakeholders to discuss the implications for our business and how we can best position our company to achieve long term, sustainable growth in the current competitive market place."

Usdaw area organiser Kate Cumming said: "The loss of the Sainsbury's contract is very worrying for staff at Young's Seafoods in Fraserburgh.

"It is not yet clear what impact this will have on the site and I am seeking urgent meetings with management for clarification and to hear how they propose to take the business forward.

"Our priorities are to protect jobs and provide support, advice and representation for our members at this worrying time."

Union officials from Unite earlier said up to 330 jobs at Young's Seafood in Grimsby were at risk due to the contract loss.