Competition from low-wage economies is being blamed for the redundancies

Castleblair is understood to be transferring the work from Fife to the company's plant in Turkey.

Scottish Enterprise Fife has described the news as disappointing but promised to help the workers find new jobs.

Production at the factories in Glenrothes and Dunfermline will be run down over the next couple of months.

The union GMB describes Castleblair as the last major clothing manufacturer in Scotland to end production.

GMB official Ian King said: "This is a very sad day for a once great industry and the death of an institution.

"We have witnessed its demise for too long... with famous names being sacrificed to low-wage economies."

Scottish Enterprise Fife said efforts were made to keep production at the existing factories.

Its chief executive Joe Noble said: "This is disappointing news for Fife and we understand that this has been a very difficult decision for the company which it has made due to global market pressures.

"We have met previously with the company, union representatives and local MSPs to discuss ways to avoid this situation but other options proved unfeasible."

Phased run down

A statement issued by Castleblair stressed that a consultation process is continuing, but that "none of the efforts to find alternative work has been successful".

The statement continued: "It is anticipated that there will be a phased run down of production in Scotland, which will eventually mean the loss of around 380 jobs."

It is thought that about 70 jobs will be retained by the company in Fife, mostly in warehousing and design.

Efforts by Scottish Enterprise Fife are now being concentrated on retraining for the redundant workers and attempting to find alternative employment for them.

Mr Noble said: "We have been working with Castleblair on a continuous basis to support its ongoing Fife operation, safeguard the jobs which remain and offer assistance to those who now face redundancy.