West Lothian Council have met with the owners of the Hall's factory after vowing to save as many jobs as possible during an emergency meeting.

A special meeting of the local authority was held on Tuesday during the summer recess to organise a strategy for the crisis-hit plant in Broxburn.

They appointed two members to the Scottish Government task force set up to deal with the situation and are writing to owners Vion urging them to explore all options.

Later, they met with the company to ask about their financial position and plans for the consultation period.

It comes after Vion announced last week they would be starting a 90-day consultation before closing down the meat processing plant. The company said the site was losing £79,000 a day.

Council leader John McGinty said they would do everything they can to save jobs.

He said: "West Lothian Council is united in its support of the staff at Hall’s in Broxburn.

"At the meeting earlier today we had an opportunity to ask questions on a range of issues concerning the profile of the workforce, the company’s financial position, and the lead up to the 90-day consultation.

"We have voiced the council’s position that our aim is for VION to consider all possible options and we have been crystal clear that the council’s priority is protecting and retaining jobs in West Lothian.

"Everyone is well aware that the clock is ticking. The company has indicated that it is taking time to listen to what everyone has to say and we are now awaiting the information that we have asked for. In the meantime council officers will set up meetings with local groups and continue to work within the Taskforce which has been set up by the Scottish Government."

Unions claim some parts of the site are more profitable than others and hope some jobs can be saved.

The Scottish Government have set up a task force to see what they can do to prevent the jobs losses.

More About Hall's closure

• Production stops at Hall's of Broxburn ahead of factory closure
• Hall's: Scottish company to save 50 jobs as it buys the brand
• Thousands of jobs at risk as Hall's owner plans to sell UK firms
• First 200 Hall's of Broxburn staff to leave as plant starts to close
• More than 50 companies want to offer axed Hall's staff new jobs
• Hall's of Broxburn: Workers meet to decide on industrial action
• Hall's owners 'appalled' at 'blatant untruths' about sale of the site

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