More than 200 jobs are expected to go at a poultry processing factory in Scotland.

The 2 Sisters Food Group announced the proposed staff cuts at its Coupar Angus plant in Perthshire as part of a "rescue plan" for the operation north of the border.

The company, which took over the plant from Vion in March, blamed an oversupply of poultry in Scotland and changes in consumer demand.

In a statement, the company said: "Today we are setting out a rescue plan for Scotland that will help secure the viability of the poultry industry and give us a better opportunity for future growth and success. Taking no action would put the future of our industry in Scotland at serious risk."

On the proposed job losses, a company spokesman said: "Early indications suggest it could be in excess of 200 people who could leave the business."

The plant, which processes whole and portioned chicken for the major supermarkets, currently employs 685 staff, meaning the planned jobs cuts could represent just under a third of the workforce.

It is understood the Coupar Angus site had been making considerable losses. The company has now begun a 45-day consultation on its plans.

In its statement, the company said: "There is an oversupply of poultry in Scotland, which has historically been the least efficient manufacturing base. There is also evidence of a decline in the UK poultry market due to changes in consumer demand. This situation is unsustainable.

"At Letham, we have worked hard to secure a future for the site, and we've found a buyer who will tap in to new niche market opportunities, where it will much more competitive in the market place.

"In turn, we are working with our colleagues to maintain a viable operation at our factory in Coupar Angus, which will allow us time to create a more competitive environment as we look to strengthen Scottish sales and build demand for Scottish chicken.

"This will mean we are proposing to reduce the workforce at Coupar and change shift patterns and working hours for remaining colleagues.

"We will work with all our partners - our colleagues, our customers, our agricultural base, the Scottish Government - as we can't do this alone.

"We need their help to rescue this industry. These announcements today will help secure our business for the longer term and put us in a stronger position for investing in the future when conditions are right."

The privately-owned 2 Sisters Food Group has its headquarters in Birmingham.

Since it was established in 1993, it has grown to have 49 manufacturing sites in the UK and Ireland, Holland and Poland, according to its website. The firm employs around 24,000 people in total.

Dougie Maguire, Unite regional industrial officer, suggested the news had come as a surprise to workers.

"These job losses would be absolutely devastating for the local community," he said.

"There has been no consultation with management or even a suggestion that cuts were in the pipeline - it's a stunning development and particularly so soon after the Vion buyout.

"We are now holding emergency meetings with our membership and will also meet with the Finance and Employment Secretary John Swinney MSP later this evening, during which time we also need complete clarity from 2 Sisters on their plans for the Coupar Angus site.

"We will make further comment in due course."