Workers at the Peterhead fish factory which was engulfed by a fire earlier this month are to be found other work while the plant is rebuilt.

Northbay Pelagic Company officials met with staff on Monday this week to outline the temporary arrangements that will allow their employment to continue uninterrupted over the coming months.

The company has 120 full-time permanent staff and around 100 temporary staff at this time of year.

Under the plans, some production staff are to be redeployed to other local processors while the factory is rebuilt but will remain contracted to Northbay Pelagic throughout.

In the meantime, the company is despatching some fish from its cold store to customers.

Northbay Pelagic Director Chris Anderson commented: "We knew our staff were concerned about their jobs and we have worked extremely hard in the last week to find a solution that means everyone retains their employment."

Leader of Aberdeenshire Council Jim Gifford said: "These arrangements will bring comfort to Northbay Pelagic's employees, who I'm sure were worried about what the impact of the blaze would have on their jobs.

"This has been made possible through the goodwill of local processors and support from a number of other agencies, including the council, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government over the last few days."