The Scottish printer blamed the move on the economy and said it "has not been immune to the current downturn in print manufacturing" after entering into consultation with employees at the site.

However Norman King, regional officer at Unite, said the union has already been in contact with the company and talks are planned for next Thursday (11th August).

"We will sit down with them and discuss all the possibilities available. Thomson Litho plays an important role for people in the area and is a large employer. We will do everything we can to convince them to stay," he said.

Thomson Litho said that despite aiming to limit any job losses, the ongoing process "will be vital" in determining the longer-term sustainability of the company and its viability of positioning the business as a "support function" to its parent company GZ Digital Media. GZ fulfils a broad portfolio of contracts across the UK and mainland Europe.