A lingerie entrepreneur is investigating the possibility of buying two closure-threatened Scottish factories.

Michelle Mone, creator of the revolutionary gel-filled bra and director of MJM International, said the company was carrying out a feasibility study into the purchase of two William Baird plants in Glasgow.

The future of the 780 jobs at the factories in Springburn and Polmadie is in jeopardy after Marks and Spencer's decision to end its 30-year contract with the company last year and buy from foreign producers.

Ms Mone, from Glasgow, said her company was conducting a three-month feasibility study and revealed she would be delighted if a buy-out proved successful.

However, she stressed that MJM International was also considering foreign options.

She said: "We're looking to see if we can build a production in Glasgow because the demand for our Ultimo bra has just gone haywire.

"We've got a brand that everyone wants and we can't make enough of them.

"We think that possibly we could make some bras here but I'm not talking about the whole production because we've got factories throughout Europe and we're also looking at the Far East as well.

"What we'd like to do is create some jobs in Glasgow ."

Ms Mone conceded that while there are cost advantages in using foreign companies, she praised the quality of work in the Glasgow firms and said her company would expect to have more control over production in Scotland.

She added: "But at the end of the day I'm not just in this to make money. It makes me happy to see jobs being given to people.

Production opportunities

"If we can't do it then I just hope that the factories that are closing down find alternative people to take them on."

The decision to assess new production opportunities arose after Ms Mone was approached by New York department store Saks Fifth Avenue.

The store says it wants to launch the Ultimo bra throughout the US.

William Baird launched a multi-million pound law suit against Marks and Spencer following its decision to pull out, with the high street company promising to contest the action.

In a statement to the stock market, Baird said it is claiming £53.6m for the costs and damages it faced which could force it into the red.