A meeting has been held over the future of a paper mill that was placed into administration, putting almost 500 jobs at risk.

Arjowiggins Fine Papers at the Stoneywood Mill in Aberdeen is one of several UK businesses facing the measure from French parent company Sequana.

The Aberdeen mill has operated since 1770 - currently with a turnover of £120 million - and 489 staff there face the threat of redundancy along with 29 colleagues based in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Representatives from Arjowiggins met the Scottish Government, administrators and Unite the union to discuss possible next steps after last week's announcement.

Jonathan Mitchell, managing director of the mill, said: "We will continue to work closely with government, the administrators, unions and other stakeholders to find a positive outcome for the business."

A number of SNP representatives in the north-east had contacted Jamie Hepburn, the Scottish Government Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, about the mill when the administration was announced.

After Wednesday's "positive meeting", Mr Hepburn said the government will "continue to work closely with all partners to explore and exhaust all possible options to try and find the best possible outcome to secure a sustainable future for the mill and its workforce".

The Herald: The AJ Bell TriathlonThe AJ Bell Triathlon

Investment firm AJ Bell revealed that turbulent markets took a toll on assets under administration in its first update since it floated last year.

The company said underlying inflows on its online platform increased 20 per cent to £1.2 billion in the first quarter ended December, while customer numbers grew 4% to 190,498.

However, total inflows declined to £1.1 billion from £1.5bn as defined benefit pension transfers to AJ Bell's platform fell, and the company said this downward trend is expected to continue this year.

Negative market movements of £2.7bn, meanwhile, resulted in assets under administration falling 4% to £44.2b.

But this was not as low as the 11% decline seen in the benchmark FTSE All-Share index over the same period.

Manchesterer-based AJ Bell, founded in 1995, provides online investment platforms and stockbroker services to both retail customers and financial advisers.

Andy Bell, chief executive and founder, said trading in the first quarter was in line with the expectations the group set out ahead of its IPO.

The Herald:

Overturning the referendum result would be politically "calamitous" and worse than a no-deal Brexit, Liam Fox, above, has claimed.

The International Trade Secretary, who is in Davos drumming up business, said that some amendments tabled by backbenchers presented a "real danger" constitutionally.

Dr Fox told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that "there are many who talk about delaying Brexit when what they really mean is not having Brexit at all", saying that would be the "worst outcome".