The company said it was moving work to its overseas plants

The Simclar Group said the posts were being lost at its Dunfermline base as it had bowed to pressure to move work to its lower-cost overseas plants.

There are 400 employees in Dunfermline and 800 elsewhere in Scotland.

One worker said: "We've known for some time that redundancies were going to be coming but people have been really shocked at the size of the cut."

Simclar manufactures electronic chipboards as well as sheet metal and cable.

It was founded by Scot Sam Russell in 1975 and now has 2,500 employees worldwide with factories in China, eastern Europe and the USA.

The job losses are understood to have affected shop floor workers and engineers.

The redundancies in Dunfermline are regrettable and come as a direct result of having to compete in a global marketplace Simclar Group spokesman

Last month, 700 jobs were lost with the closure of the Lexmark factory in Rosyth.

The Simclar employee, who did not wish to be named, told BBC Scotland: "Everyone was shocked and upset.

"Staff were told on Friday and won't be back.

"It's ironic this happened on the day the by-election result was announced, when redundancies were a big issue during the campaigning.

"People are saying Dunfermline is going down the pan."

'Deeply disappointing'

Newly-elected Dunfermline MP Willie Rennie said: "This is terrible news for every one of the employees at this important firm in Dunfermline.

"It's important that I do everything I can to help them find new jobs as quickly as possible."

Dunfermline MSP Scott Barrie said: "This is deeply disappointing.

"This company has been based in Dunfermline for over 30 years and I know they have a loyal, hard-working workforce.

"I will be seeking an early meeting with Sam Russell."

A Simclar Group spokesman said: "The redundancies in Dunfermline are regrettable and come as a direct result of having to compete in a global marketplace where manufacturing costs simply do not operate on a level playing field."