Threatened mill battle continues

International Paper acquired the Inverurie mill in 1996

No stone will be left unturned in a bid to secure the future of Inverurie Paper Mill, First Minister Alex Salmond has promised.

Unions had earlier warned that the prospect of saving the closure-threatened mill looked bleak.

Amicus also said it was concerned about the possible compensation for the remaining 355 workers at the plant.

The consultation into the mill's future is drawing to a close. A public statement is expected next week.

'Serious situation'

Mr Salmond, the MSP for Gordon, met two European representatives of International Paper to discuss the future of the Inverurie Paper Mill on Thursday evening.

He said: "International Paper have made me aware they will make a statement to staff and then publicly next week. However we are still some way from any concrete proposal.

"Every worker at the mill is aware how serious the situation is but no stone is being left unturned in the effort to secure continuing employment on the site.

"Scottish Enterprise stands ready to assist in any way that it can and there is quite clearly a great determination from all parties to make progress."

International Paper acquired the historic mill in 1996.