The future of the Harris Tweed industry has been thrown into doubt after the main mill owner put his business up for sale.

Managing director Derick Murray said he was reluctantly selling the KM Harris Tweed Group after a lifetime in the industry.

The group accounts for about 95% of total production of the fabric - which by law can only be manufactured in the Hebrides.

It will be hard to part with it, but life must go on, that's the way I look at it

Derick Murray

About 200 home-based island weavers are comissioned by the company to hand-weave 100% new wool which is spun, dyed and finished.

It is then returned to mills where it is washed and marked and sent to buyers under the Harris Tweed trademark.

About 70 people are employed by KM Harris Tweed at the two mills, which are located at Stornoway and at Shawbost on the Isle of Lewis.

Mr Murray, 59, said the company would be advertised over the next 10 days.

"Then we shall see if I get any offers for it - if there's an offer that's acceptable I will sell it," he said.

Existing workforce

"It will be hard to part with it, but life must go on, that's the way I look at it."

He said it was very difficult to put a value on the business as Harris Tweed companies did not come on the market very often.

However, he stressed that it was "one of the world's most instantly recognisable brands".

Mr Murray said he hoped the new owner would retain the existing workforce.

Harris Tweed sales have been in the doldrums

And he added: "This should not come as a bombshell.

"I have got to move some time or other and this is, I think, the time to do it.

"My kids are not following me into the business and I made the decision as time went on."

Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) shop steward Alastair Morrison said he was upbeat about the job prospects for islanders.

"We are not concerned at all because if he does get a buyer for it, we have still got our jobs," he said.

"It's not a matter for concern, it will be a take-over and there's no threat of us losing our jobs."

Tweed sales have been in the doldrums for a number of years despite millions of pounds of subsidies and renewed attempts to market the cloth worldwide.