Scotland's troubled steel plants can have a viable future, two independent consultancies have told a task force working to save hundreds of jobs.

The Scottish Steel Task Force, chaired by Scottish Business Minister Fergus Ewing, was told "a viable future could be found" for Tata Steel's plants in Dalzell in Motherwell and Clydebridge in Cambuslang.

Tata announced last month that it is to close its Scottish plants, with the loss of 225 jobs at the Dalzell plate rolling works and 45 posts at Clydebridge.

A further 900 workers at the Tata plant in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, also face redundancy.

The task force has met for the second time to discuss continuing efforts to find an alternative operator for the plants.

Scottish Government agency Scottish Enterprise commissioned Ernst and Young to look into the viability of the plants, and its findings were supported by another consultancy Syndex, which was commissioned by the steel unions.

The reports are commercially confidential but will be made available to any potential investor, a Scottish Government spokesman said.

Mr Ewing said: "The Scottish Steel Task Force remains completely focused on finding an alternative operator for the Dalzell and Clydebridge plants and keeping as many jobs as possible.

"Since the first meeting a fortnight ago, there have been a number of developments.

"Scottish Enterprise is pursuing every possible investment opportunity.

"It has circulated a marketing prospectus to all 29 SDI field offices to connect with potential investors around the world, and to 600 Globalscots, the worldwide network of business leaders dedicated to helping Scottish companies thrive.

"The task force heard presentations from two independent consultancies who agreed a viable future for the plants could be found, highlighting existing strengths and potential new markets.

"In conjunction with Tata Steel, discussions continue to explore viable options around where savings could be made in areas like procurement, energy efficiency and back office functions, in what are challenging global economic conditions.

"We have looked closely at whether and how business rates for the two sites could be reduced and are considering next steps. On procurement, we have looked at future public transport and infrastructure projects that need steel and have provided information to Tata Steel and workforce representatives."

Jim McCabe, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: "The task force remains fully committed to finding an alternative operator and to keeping production going.

"I firmly believe that there is a future for steel manufacturing in Lanarkshire and that we can work together to secure a future for this industry and a future for the workers and their families and indeed our communities."