A CAMPAIGN is being launched to save 150 jobs amid claims Marks and Spencer is turning its back on Scotland after deciding to switch food production to England.

A CAMPAIGN is being launched to save 150 jobs amid claims Marks and Spencer is turning its back on Scotland after deciding to switch food production to England.

Angry union leaders are threatening to launch a high-profile battle to protect affected workers.

Plans are being drawn up by Unite just days after a shock announcement that more than a third of the 435-strong workforce at the Vion food plant in Cambuslang are to be made redundant.

Despite the fact the Lanarkshire factory has produced the meals for 20 years, M&S plans to switch the production of ready meals to a new factory in England.

Union leaders accuse the store of cost-cutting, claiming the English workforce earn less than the Vion workers.

Scott Foley, of Unite, said: "M&S has spent huge amounts of money promoting its ethical principles but the workers at Cambuslang do not see anything ethical about a decision which seems to be purely based on cost."

He plans to rally residents throughout Cambuslang and warned: "Our members are going to fight this decision and are preparing to launch protests to gather support from the local community who will all have friends and family working at Cambuslang."

But M&S said some work will remain at Cambuslang, which produces chicken-based meals and cold meat products for its stores, and insists the 50% of work being transferred to England is being deliberately staggered to allow Vion time to find other customers.

The store chain said it wanted to move work to a new supplier which was willing to invest in its food lines.

The row comes just as M&S announced a new Simply Food store would open in Bishopbriggs on Wednesday, February 11, bringing 100 jobs to the burgh.