Forty jobs have been saved at a fish processing factory in a deal to take over the plant.

Thistle Seafoods Ltd has taken over the Dawnfresh facility in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, as a going concern.

The deal includes the transfer of 40 staff.

Thistle Seafoods says it will develop the factory into a processing and distribution centre to access the retail and wholesale markets in the UK, EU and further afield.

Ryan Scatterty, Thistle Seafoods managing director, added: “The acquisition of the Uddingston facility is an ideal fit for our business as it will provide us with a strategic processing, storage and distribution hub with ready access to the key transport networks to better serve our domestic customers. 

“It will also allow us to further expand our product offering and capitalise on our fast-growing export markets. 

"We are delighted to welcome an extra 40 staff to our business and plan to recruit further this year as we build our business.”

Dawnfresh went into administration in February this year, putting jobs at the Lanarkshire plant at risk.

Callum Carmichael, partner with FRP Advisory and joint administrator, said that the deal was an excellent outcome for all parties.

He said: “We are delighted to have agreed a sale to Thistle Seafoods, which is very well placed to integrate the site and facilities into their own fast-growing business. 

“It is also particularly rewarding that the deal also includes the transfer of 40 employees. 

"We wish Thistle Seafoods every success with their acquisition and with their plans to develop and grow the business.”