Harris Tweed in Yorkshire hands

A Nike sports shoe used Harris Tweed

A businessman from Yorkshire has taken control of the bulk of the Scotland's famous Harris Tweed industry.

Clothing manufacturer Brian Haggas has bought KM Group and a smaller tweed firm Parkend in the Western Isles.

The KM Group produces 95% of Harris Tweed and has been on the market for four years.

Staff at the mill have been told that a deal was concluded earlier this week. Hundreds of people are employed in the tweed industry.

The KM Group recently shut one of its two mills with all of the work being transferred to Stornoway on Lewis.

The move was seen by observers as one which would make the company more attractive to potential investors.

There has been interest in the KM Group since 2002, when owner Derek Murray said he was open to offers.