Two senior Scottish politicians will visit the north-east today to chair a taskforce formed to protect jobs at the crisis-hit Young’s Seafood plant.
As many as 900 posts have been put under threat at the Fraserburgh site after the firm lost a major supermarket contract.
Jobs are also at risk at Young’s facility in Grantown on Spey.
Today business minister Fergus Ewing and food secretary Richard Lochhead are in Peterhead to meet representatives from Young’s as well as local councils, trade unions, Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland.
Local MSP Stewart Stephenson and local MP Eilidh Whiteford will also sit in on the talks.
Last night Mr Ewing said: “This is an extremely anxious time for Young’s workers, their families and for the communities around the two sites.
“Working with Young’s, this new group will do all it can ensure the continued productive use of the sites and secure as many jobs as possible.”
Mr Lochhead added: “Young’s is an essential part of the Scottish food and drink industry, with workers who are skilled and dedicated.
“Scottish seafood is a success and it’s important that where remaining Young’s contracts involve seafood from this country, the company is encouraged to process those contracts in Scotland.”
The meeting will take place at the Buchan Braes hotel outside Peterhead this afternoon.