850 FACING JOBS AXE AT ELECTRONICS PLANT; SHOCKED STAFF GET A 90-DAY WARNING

UP TO 850 workers face losing their jobs at a Scots electronics plant.

US semiconductor makers Free scale gave a 90 - day warning that the company plan to end manufacturing in East Kilbride.

Freescale took over the plant fromMotorola four years ago.

About 750 staff work directly in semiconductor production and a further 100 in support jobs.

About 150 jobs involved in the company's business groups will not be affected.

The company have been trying unsuccessfully to sell the plant since September.

A Freescale spokesman said yesterday: "All other viable options will remain open during the 90-day consultation period."

Last night, local MSP Andy Kerr said: "This is a devastating blow for the East Kilbride and Lanarkshire economy and comes on the back of the recent JVC closure.

"Motorola and Freescale have been part of East Kilbride's economic and social fabric for many years."

Kerr said he expected the plant to close early next year.

He added: "The company have had this plant on sale for a number of months. It has been marketed heavily by Scottish Enterprise and by the company itself but there has been no buyer."

Regional organiser for the trade union Unite, Jimmy Farrelly, said: "The news is a devastating blow to to East Kilbride and Lanarkshire."

The union are calling on the Scottish government to help.

When reports of a possible sell-off first surfaced last July, First Minister Alex Salmond said the government would do "everything possible" to protect jobs at the factory.

A government spokesman said yesterday: "We are disappointed that Freescale have decided to enter into a period of consultation with a view to closing their East Kilbride manufacturing.

"This is obviously a great blow to the plant's employees and their families.

"Scottish Development International has been working with senior management at the company to help ensure the long termfuture of the plant."

The spokesman said they were pleased that around 150 research and development positions next to the factory would stay.

Freescale's factory was opened in East Kilbride by Motorola in 1969 to design, manufacture, test and package microchips.

Last year, Freescale was awarded a pounds 1.9million regional selective assistance grant from the Scottish government to help safeguard jobs.

The spokesman added: "Scottish government officials will discuss the implications of this news with the company to assess its impact in relation to the RSA grant."