PRODUCTION at an Ayrshire whisky bottling plant is to stop for two weeks in a bid to slash costs.

PRODUCTION at an Ayrshire whisky bottling plant is to stop for two weeks in a bid to slash costs.

Around 650 workers at the Diageo Johnnie Walker factory in Kilmarnock will be sent home for a week in March and a week in April following an internal review. They will, however, continue to be paid while production is halted.

And Diageo today stressed that the hi-tech plant in Hill Street remained viable and had a long term future.

It's one of three packaging plants operated in Scotland by the world's largest drinks firm. The others are in Glasgow and Fife.

A company spokesman said: "In response to our current volume outlook we have decided to temporarily close our Kilmarnock packaging site for two weeks during which the employees affected will continue to be paid.

"We will continue to work closely with employee representatives during these difficult times - and ensure regular communications with all our employees."

Meanwhile, nearly 200 Standard Life staff, 47 in Scotland, are to lose their jobs under restructuring plans aimed at meeting financial targets.

The Edinburgh headquarters will lose 34 people while the business' Glasgow operation will be reduced to 95 staff after 13 redundancies. The remaining 148 job losses will be spread around the UK.

A company spokeswoman said: "Standard Life has reviewed the structure of its distribution function.

"As a result, the number of staff in distribution will be reduced by 195."

It is understood that some redundant workers will be given new positions elsewhere in the company.

The spokeswoman also sought to dismiss speculation that the company was preparing to pull out of its Glasgow office.