An electronics company given more than £500,000 of taxpayers' money has closed its Scottish plant, with the loss of 250 jobs.

American firm Gemfire told shocked workers at its Livingston factory they would receive no redundancy or holiday pay, then shut the operation without further notice.

Two years ago, the American telecommunications firm was given a £1.7m grant by the then-Scottish Executive to safeguard jobs. It had already received £575,000 of the money.

Those who worked at the factory, which designed, developed and manufactured fibre optic components, said they believed the company's order book was full.

Labour MP Jim Devine said the company, which has closed its two other factories in Calfornia for four weeks, blamed the withdrawal of a major investor for the ending of operations in West Lothian. However he described Gemfire's behaviour as "outrageous".

He told The Herald: "I spoke with the chief executive of the company yesterday and he said, despite the fact the Livingston plant was by far the most profitable, they had been advised by their legal team in London to shut it."

Mr Devine will meet with workers today. No-one at Gemfire was available for comment.

Meanwhile, Hawick Cashmere plans to shed a dozen posts due to a reorganisation and the installation of new technology.

It is the second jobs blow for the town's textile industry within a week, after Monday's announcement of 36 redundancies at Hawick Knitwear.