Jobs pledge as chip firm sells up

The Scottish Government pledged to fight to save jobs at the factory

A computer chip plant which employs 1,250 people in East Kilbride has been put up for sale by its American owners.

Freescale said it hoped to sell the factory as a going concern without any job losses.

US-based real estate group Atreg, which specialises in selling such factories, has been drafted in to find a buyer.

Fears had been growing over the long-term future of the plant after reports workers had been told the firm was seeking a buyer.

Atreg director, Doug Barrett, assured factory staff: "The idea is that the jobs should remain. That is number one for us, and that is why Freescale took us on."

He added that his company would launch a "worldwide campaign" to find a suitable buyer.

When reports of a possible sell-off surfaced in July, First Minister Alex Salmond said the Scottish Government would do "everything possible" to protect jobs at the factory.

Freescale is also selling a 150-acre site in Dunfermline which is not completed and has no employees.