Somerfield said it wanted to focus on core business

RB Farquhar, based in Huntly in Aberdeenshire, said it was likely to cut 80 posts after deciding to switch manufacturing to the Czech Republic.

The company makes prefabricated buildings and bathroom and shower pods.

Meanwhile, Somerfield has confirmed the loss of 75 jobs at its Aberness depot in Aberdeen.

RB Farquhar said it would move jobs from Huntly to its �3m European factory in Chomutov.

The company's Michael Shand, said: "The main reason for the decision is that the costs are far lower in the Czech Republic than in the north east of Scotland.

He added: "I was born in Huntly so of course I would have liked to have kept the jobs here, but we have been finding it harder and harder to move forward.

"We knew a decision had to be made and now we've finally had to make it."

Staff have been informed and consultation will begin next week Somerfield statement

Mr Shand said other opportunities within the company would be looked at for the workers, but added that the vast majority looked likely to lose their jobs.

Somerfield said the Aberness depot, which supplies Mace stores across Scotland, would shut down.

The company announced on Friday that it had agreed to sell its interest in the Mace brand in Scotland in order to focus on its "core retail estate".

It said the decision had been made following a series of recent "significant acquisitions" by the business, including 118 forecourt sites and 113 former Safeway stores.

The company added: "The board of Somerfield recognises that the integration of these acquired stores will require greater focus and have concluded that it could not commit the necessary resource to drive forward the Mace wholesale business at the pace rightly demanded by its retail partners.

Parliamentary motion

"Staff have been informed this morning and consultation will begin next week."

Scottish National Party MSP for Aberdeen North, Brian Adam, has lodged a parliamentary motion condemning the closure and asking for workers to be found alternative employment.

He said: "The current store wars that are taking place throughout Scotland may be considered by some to be good for customers, but is certainly not beneficial to employees who work in the retail trade and my heart goes out to the Aberness workers and their families."

The Mace stores have been bought by the Palmer and Harvey McLane group, which already owns the Mace brand in England and Wales.