Another 400 jobs are set to go from Scotland's computer industry due to the global electronics slump.

The Scottish Executive said it had been told that 407 jobs would be lost with the closure of US firm Sanmina-SCI's plant in Irvine, North Ayrshire.

In a statement, the company confirmed the plant would shut but no figures for the workforce were given.

Earlier this month, Compaq announced the loss of 650 jobs in Erskine, Renfrewshire, as a result of the firm's merger with Hewlett-Packard.

The downturn in the sales of PCs around the world has been blamed for manufacturers cutting costs and closing factories.

Consultation period

Sanmina-SCI is believed to employ 590 permanent staff and a further 160 agency staff in Irvine.

"The actual plant closure date will be dependent on the consultation period with our employees and discussions with our customers," the company statement said.

Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire said the agency would do everything possible to soften the blow.

Although disappointed to hear about the losses, a number of high-quality jobs would remain on the site and others would be safeguarded around Scotland, it added.