Mr Salmond said the number of jobs lost was "substantial"

Tyneside-based J Barbour and Sons has confirmed plans to shut its site near Galashiels at the end of the month.

Mr Salmond said the loss of the 46 jobs at the factory was a "huge and substantial number" for a rural area like the Scottish Borders.

He said every effort would be made to support the workers affected by the closure decision.

The Tweedbank factory was opened 12 years ago and produces classic knitwear and weaving.

The textile industry is a fragile industry in Scotland and needs additional support Jeremy Purvis MSP

Mr Salmond said that moves were already under way to help staff find alternative employment or training.

"All facilities and support will be made available to the workforce," he said during First Minister's Questions.

"Forty-six jobs, I'm well aware because I represent a rural constituency, can be a huge and substantial number, as it will be in Tweedbank.

"Therefore, we consider this closure of great regret and of substantial significance."

Lib Dem Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale MSP Jeremy Purvis had told Mr Salmond he met staff on Wednesday night along with SNP MSP Christine Grahame, Labour's Karen Gillon and Tory John Lamont.

Mr Purvis said: "The textile industry is a fragile industry in Scotland and needs additional support."

He called on the first minister to reverse the decision to downgrade the status of Scottish Textiles, the promotional marketing body for the industry.

Textile discussions

He said this has "scant presence in the economic strategy, but is crucial for supporting this fundamental business for the industry".

Mr Salmond said that Enterprise Minister Jim Mather had met with the textile industry to discuss this issue.

J Barbour and Sons was formed in 1894 in South Shields by a farmer's son from Galloway, in south west Scotland.